Calls for more play specialists to help children having hospital treatment
There are calls for play resources to be made a priority.
A charity says children are at risk of increased trauma and poor mental health because there are too few play resources in Welsh hospitals.
Health play charity Starlight says there are just 19 play professionals in Wales for almost 70,000 child hospital admissions.
Lucy is a community health play specialist working for Aneurin Bevan University Health Board. She said: “Children need play as something familiar at a time when they are feeling the most vulnerable.
"We use play when preparing children and young people for hospital procedures. We do this through role play, photographs, adapted dolls, toy and real medical equipment.
"Preparing children and young people in this way helps to support understanding, provides an opportunity to talk about worries and concerns and assists coping.”
Cathy Gilman, Chief Executive of Starlight, said: “Many children in hospital have to endure trauma, fear and pain because of the treatment they undergo.
"Despite advances in modern healthcare, there remains a paradox that children can develop serious, long-term mental health problems as an unintended consequence of their care.
"Recognising the importance of and investing in play professionals and resources need to be a priority, yet our report has highlighted woeful gaps in play services across Wales. Above all else, we must listen to what children are telling us.
"When we ask children about being in hospital the over-whelming response is that hospital is scary and play makes it better.”