Different Disciplines, Common Experience ‘Little George and the Dragon’ George fights the pain Alder Hey Children’s Hospital Linda Barton and Louise Smith Different Disciplines, Common Experience

Our Innovation Project This project provides interactive material in the form of an “App”, to help children with sickle cell manage their pain. Our original plan for a computer game was replaced by an “App” as this could be distributed nationwide quickly. It has the added bonus of being able to be updated at source, should new methods of treatment or management become available. Its purpose is to enable children from age 6-14 learn skills acquire the knowledge needed to manage pain during a sickle cell crisis.

Findings By learning in a fun and modern way the impact on the children has been a positive one. Gaining the ability to control their condition, minimise pain and prevent escalation of a crisis which may lead to hospital admission. It has been well received and the children involved have become empowered to talk about their condition to friends and teachers at school. Which goes a long way in removing the stigma associated. The fact that Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity and the Burdett Trust for Nursing have given Louise and I the opportunity to invest time, knowledge and money on behalf of children with sickle cell has given them a sense of personal worth. It is wonderful to see how these children have grown in stature and become more confident in handling and talking about their condition.

Findings As a staff nurse I have been proud to work on this project, as unlike specialist nurses I have not been afforded the time within my working hours to do this, so have completed this in my own time because I feel passionately about these brave and worthy children. The Benefit that the project had on me lay in the development of my own knowledge working in partnership with Louise Smith our Haemoglobinopathy Nurse Specialist. For us to be able to lead the way and produce a valuable tool for use nationally.

Next steps… I hope that this “App” will be widely used in the future. For every child for whom it makes a difference in alleviating pain or preventing hospital admission this will have a positive impact on their lives. On further development. Education in the wider community needs further input. People who are involved in the lives of children with sickle cell, such as teachers, club leaders, siblings and friends. It is so important that as a society we are able to understand and support these children and enable them to live full and inclusive lives.