Health Play Specialist Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Approaches and challenges in addressing children and young people’s health and emotional wellbeing Margaret McEwan Health Play Specialist Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh

My General Role includes: Preparation and Distraction therapies Providing play and recreation Bringing play into rehabilitation programmes Working closely with Edinburgh Cancer Centre Devising Coping Strategies Providing support and information

Today I am going to talk about the rights and challenges of children and young people who have already been treated for a brain tumour which has been “stable” for a few years but has now started “changing”. Often these children have already been through surgery, rehabilitation, radiotherapy and chemotherapy and need to start the whole process again.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Article 12 (respect for the views of the child) “Every child has the right to express their views, feelings and wishes in all matters affecting them, and to have their views considered and taken seriously.”

My role in working with these families would be to: Discuss what they have been told. Chat about feelings. Chat about previous treatment Chat privately to the child or young person. Discuss my involvement Advise about any charities Speak to other members of the multi-disciplinary Discuss preparation and distraction methods Be the Advocate for the child

Here are just some of the activities that we do on the ward: Painting & Gluing Jigsaws & Games We have Games Consoles and games Dancing Hide & Seek Movies Sensory Sessions Messy Play (using shaving foam, pasta, decorating biscuits) Imaginative Play (role play, making up stories etc Outside Play (leaf collecting etc)

Ta da!!!

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Article 31 (leisure, play and culture). “Every child has the right to relax, play and take part in a wide range of cultural and artistic activities.”

References https://downloads.unicef.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/UNCRC_summary-1.pdf (accessed 19/10/17)