大象传媒 Scotland - 大象传媒 Scotland - Four-year-old donor recipient was 鈥榯errified鈥� of vital blood tests

Four-year-old donor recipient was 鈥榯errified鈥� of vital blood tests

Playing at doctors and nurses has been a childhood favourite for decades but for Jack it was a significant part of his hospital treatment.

Donor recipient Jack with his hospital play specialist Maureen

When he was born Jack, now four, was born with a liver disease. At 3 weeks old he received a life-saving liver transplant for which his mum says she will be “forever grateful”.

Serious side effects from a transplant can occur at any time so Jack still requires regular blood tests to check his liver is still working well. Unfortunately the pre-schooler developed a fear of needles and became terrified of these tests.

That's where the team of dedicated play specialists at the Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital stepped in and in particular play specialist, Maureen. Her job is to help children reduce their anxiety about being in hospital.

In Children's Hospital, a new documentary series going behind the scenes at the hospital, we meet Maureen and Jack who play together to help Jack's fear.

“Play is normal for children obviously this is a strange environment they’re coming into, says Maureen who has been working at the hospital for 19 years.

“We can help them get through some of their treatments through play, explaining through play, maybe using a doll or a teddy.”

In the case of Jack, Maureen spends several different appointments creating a photo book for Jack that tells him the story of one of his blood tests. They pretend to take blood, take pictures and even try out the needle on his teddy. The family go over the book with Jack at home all in preparation for his next blood test. The results are encouraging.

Maureen who NHS Grampian called a “superstar” helps all sorts of children through different treatments throughout the series.

“I love it absolutely love it. It’s rewarding its challenging, if in a day I’ve made a difference to one child then that’s great I’m going home happy.”

Children’s Hospital is an eight-part series available on the 大象传媒 iPlayer.