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We’re proud to say this year’s runner-up for the Health Play Specialist of the Year award is Jamie-Lee Phillipson from Nottingham Children’s Hospital.
As the hospital’s play specialist lead, Jamie-Lee works relentlessly to make sure the children are supported and feel in control of their experience. She’s helped so many children through scary or painful procedures by using play sessions to reduce their stress and normalise the hospital environment.
"It was a shock to hear that I had won runner up as there are so many fabulous play specialists out there. I am extremely grateful. Play has such a huge impact on our patients, the more positive experiences our patients receive whilst in hospital, the less trauma they have. We are there to help these patients through the darkest of days, during their time in hospital, and their life beyond that."
We are proud to announce the runner-up for this year’s Mentor of the Year is Rosanne Norman, a health play specialist from Blackpool Teaching Hospital.
Rosanne has been a health play specialist for over 18 years and uses her wealth of experience using play to relieve children’s anxiety, help them understand their diagnosis and even reduce their pain. As well as this, Rosanne now also inspires future health play specialists as a mentor.
"I can honestly say without Rosanne’s support and mentorship, I maybe not be in the health play specialist role and profession all together. She encouraged me in my first year, even though we worked for completely different hospitals. I am so thankful for her support, encouragement, guidance and professional discussions."
We’re also proud to announce the runner up for this year’s Play Team of the Year is the Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital Play Team.
From bringing the local Fire Brigade and football teams into visit the children, to dressing up themselves and decorating the wards, the brilliant team of nine constantly employ their imagination to work together and find innovative ways to bring play to the hospital! They are dedicated to ensuring the children at the hospital are supported through play, creating a positive and safe space that children want to come back to visit.
"The Team are over the moon to have been nominated for this award. I started at the Children's Hospital over 30 years ago and was the first member of staff to train as a health play specialist and to take on the task of developing the Play Service. Play is often one of the most important parts of the patient’s stay, play can help patients and their families through their hospital experience and help them deal with challenges."
Last but certainly not least, we announce Susan Pruden, a Play Service manager at the Evelina London Children’s Hospital, as the runner-up for the Protector of Play.
"I am honoured and proud to have been nominated for this award and receive runner up Protector of Play. I am lucky working alongside colleagues who join me in the journey and vision for therapeutic play within the Evelina London Childrens Hospital. I thank those colleagues who nominated me but this is for not just me but everyone who champions play within our hospital and community sites."
