Policy

Starlight calls on MPs and Peers to turn health play promises into action

Starlight has called on parliamentarians to help turn the Government’s commitment to improving children’s healthcare experiences through play into action, after new data has revealed significant gaps in adoption across the NHS.

MPs, Peers and parliamentary staff joined Starlight, young people and experts from across children’s healthcare at a Drop-In event at Portcullis House, Westminster, to discuss what needs to happen to ensure more children can benefit from play as part of their healthcare and our Director of Play in Healthcare, Laura Walsh, and Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Sarah Owen, also had a meeting with Health Minister Baroness Merron, less than a week later.

The Government has committed in the National Cancer Plan for England to full adoption of NHS England's and Starlight's Play Well Toolkit across Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and trusts by 2027, recognising the role of play in improving children’s experiences of healthcare.

However, Starlight’s latest Freedom of Information data shows there is still considerable progress to be made:

  • 80% of ICBs are not yet committed to adopting the Toolkit,
  • no ICB has a dedicated health play budget and,
  • just 5% include health play within their children and young people’s strategies.

(Image: MP Alex Brewer talks to her constituent and Starlight's Head of Professional Training and Development Natalie Aris)

Starlight is calling for a clear implementation plan, accountability and measures of progress to help ensure the 2027 commitment is delivered.

Some members of Starlight's Youth Panel, Nailah, Annika and Annis, were at the heart of the Drop-In event, speaking directly to parliamentarians about their experiences of healthcare and the difference health play has made during their time in hospital.

They were joined by advocates and experts from across the field, including NHS leaders, clinicians, health play specialists, parents, charity leaders and a Starlight Innovation Award winner, as well as representatives from i-Support, which promotes children's rights in healthcare and Sophie's Legacy, a charity also campaigning for better healthcare for children. 

Together they spoke to parliamentarians about the difference play can make not only to children's experiences but to the delivery of healthcare.

Image: Annis, Nusrat Ghani MP, Nailah and Annika

The event, the second sponsored by Alister Strathern MP, also gave parliamentarians the opportunity to explore what health play provision looks like in their own constituencies. Several asked Starlight to send them local data so they can review provision and raise the findings with their ICB leaders.

Sarah Owen, Starlight's Policy and Public Affairs Manager said: "We're very grateful to Alister Strathern for hosting this second Drop-In for Starlight. Parliamentarians and their staff were highly engaged, asking the young people about their experiences and discussing what needs to change so more children can benefit from this support. 

"Starlight is asking parliamentarians to help maintain momentum towards the Government's 2027 commitment by calling for a clear implementation plan and progress reporting, raising Parliamentary Questions and engaging directly with their local ICBs about plans to adopt the Play Well Toolkit." 

(Image: Paediatrician Dr Tom Rance talking to Julie Minns MP)

She added: "The Government has recognised the importance of play in improving children's experiences of healthcare. Starlight now wants to see that promise translated into action so children across the country can benefit, wherever they receive their care.

 "Our meeting this week with Baroness Merron shows the growing acknowledgment of the value of health play. We are looking forward to continuing to work with the Department of Health and ICBs to implement and embed the Toolkit."

September 2026