Play Leaders at North Middlesex University Hospital have been crowned Play Team of the Year for their incredible work with young people across the Trust.

Keisha Young, Megan Davidson and Emma Lambert from Starlight Ward at North Mid picked up the national award in this year’s Starlight’s Health Play Awards.

The team were recognised for going ‘above and beyond’ in improving the experience of hospital treatment for ill children and young people when in the Trust's care.

They work directly with children in the hospital, empowering them to understand more about their treatment, develop coping techniques, distract them during procedures and support their mental health whilst undergoing treatment.

Keisha and colleagues

The team also played an instrumental part in setting up and running a children's and young patients forum for children and their parents in Enfield and Haringey at the Trust.

The forum has provided young patients with the opportunity for them to have a voice and work with the paediatric team to make necessary improvements.

Run by UK play charity, Starlight, the Health Play Awards recognise the dedication, ingenuity and resilience of play specialists and other health professionals who are changing the experience of hospital treatment for seriously ill children.

Keisha and Megan were presented with the award at an in-person and virtual presentation hosted by Cathy Gilman, Chief Executive of Starlight. Present were colleagues from across the Trust including the team’s line manager Suzanne Mcfarlane and North Mid Chief Executive Dr Nnenna Osuji.  Keisha with Colette and Suzanne

Speaking of their award win, Keisha said: “It’s such a shock! We feel like the underdogs here as we are a small hospital compared to some of the bigger children’s hospitals. Without play, the children in hospital would be a lot more anxious and bored.

“If they are not calm, it’s much harder to carry out their treatment and they would be quite distressed. Starlight’s resources have made such a difference to us. Like most play teams we don’t have any funding, and we haven’t been able to fundraise because of the pandemic.”

Colette Datt, Associate Director of Nursing of Children & Young People at the hospital said: “Through visiting adolescents on the adult wards, they have made sure that the 16–18-year-old children are cared for and supported in a new environment for them. They visit about five young people a day across the hospital, ensuring their needs as young people are made in adult environments.

“The team have helped set up and run a children's and young patients forum for children and their parents in Enfield and Haringey, which has provided the opportunity for them to have a voice and work alongside the paediatric team to make the necessary improvements, through co-production. This has helped improve the care delivered to children in both the paediatric unit and the adult wards.”