Joe Fox
Position:
Play specialist, plastic reconstructive surgery ward
Employer:
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children
Monday
Meet with the nurse-in-charge and tidy up the playroom that seems to have been trashed over the weekend - not uncommon. Assess priority children and organise play activities for them.
I've worked at Great Ormond Street for 24 years and am currently on a busy surgical ward that treats children for cranio-facial, cleft lip and palette, ear reconstruction and birthmark conditions. The multi-disciplinary team includes specialist nurses, speech therapists, psychologists, social workers and teachers as well as consultants, doctors and nurses - and I am proud to work with them all. My role is to help children through a stay in hospital, offering them therapeutic play activities which can also prepare them psychologically for treatment.
Today I help a child with extensive birthmarks cope with an invasive procedure which will encourage her skin to grow. The procedure involves expanding a silicon implant inserted under the skin near the site of the birthmark.
Also see to this week's new admissions. One mother, whose child is undergoing major cranio-facial injury, is very anxious and needs a lot of reassurance. Time spent supporting parents can pay great dividends - a child needs parents to be in control, not stressed out.
Tuesday
Prepare children admitted for hand surgery by pretending to 'play hospitals' and by showing them photos so that they understand procedures.
Undertake a referral from the surgical consultant for a child with a complex Crouzon condition who is about to undergo major surgery. He and his parents need intensive, one-to-one preparation as he is developmentally delayed and hyperactive. Report key observations to the nurse specialist and speech therapists.
Wednesday
Set up playroom with playdough, paints and glove puppet activities. Go to weekly psycho-social meeting on all inpatients. A key concern is how the child with Crouzon's will react to his imminent surgery. Spend time with children undergoing cleft lip and palate surgery the next day. Check arrangements for taking children to panto on Saturday.
Thursday
Always a busy day. As soon as I get in, children and parents already in playroom expectantly awaiting play activities. Set them up, then take two children to see the cast of 'Cats' who are visiting the hospital. They are thrilled by the magical animal make-up. Got autographs and photos.
Some children attending the outpatient clinic pop up with their parents to say hello. It's lovely to see them. Something like that really motivates the ward team.
Afternoon at the weekly plastic surgery outpatient clinic. Really busy. Help parents get to know the hospital and start to explain what their children's treatment will involve.
Friday
Try to prepare the referred child for tissue expansion, but she is not in the mood today for such invasive treatment. She needs reassurance and a lot of coaxing away from her play. Her anxious parents are not communicating very consistently. Resolve the situation by negotiating the approach with the parents and the child.
Spend most of the afternoon helping patients going home. One dear little lad rushes up to me and proudly presents me with a picture he has drawn.
Saturday
Panto day! Greet 44 children and parents at the hospital reception, where a coach takes us to Wimbledon to see 'Beauty and the Beast'. Everyone has a great time - that's what it's all about.
