Eloise Lawrence plays to win in 2024 Play in Healthcare Awards

Eloise Lawrence, senior health play specialist at Evelina London has won Starlight's prestigious Health Play Specialist of the Year Award.

Each year the UK's leading charity for children's play in hospitals and hospices, Starlight, announces their awards recognising individuals and organisations who bring joy to children at a time when they need it most. Announced during Play in Healthcare Week (14 to 18 October), the Play In Healthcare Awards shine a spotlight on how play can reduce fear, pain and trauma during a child's treatment and recovery from illness.

Eloise was awarded Health Play Specialist of the Year 2024 for her dedication to supporting children who are having procedures (tests and scans) in our radiology service.

Dr Arlen Urquia, paediatric radiology consultant at Evelina London Children's Hospital, nominated Eloise and said: "Eloise's help is invaluable to us in the radiology department. Our young patients can struggle with lying still for scans which are essential for their diagnosis and treatment. She establishes a good relationship with them and explains the procedures in a way that they can understand so that they are better prepared."

Eloise works in the therapeutic play service. Our play specialists are specially trained in providing play for sick children and young people. They provide our patients with the means to develop through fun and familiar activities, helping to reduce anxiety and aid their recovery. Eloise uses tools like our rocket-shaped MRI simulator, funded by Evelina London Children's Charity. Children can hop inside this colourful and interactive rocket ship to experience a fun simulated MRI before their real scan. It's a chance for them to get comfortable with the process, ask Eloise any questions, and share their worries so she can help reassure them and make the experience a little less scary

Eloise said: "It was amazing to be nominated and win this award – I'm really grateful and honoured.

It's important to recognise the value of play specialists, and I'm proud of the impact I've been able to make in providing a positive experience for our young patients. It helps make hospital less daunting, and we're giving young children the skills they will use to manage on their own in the future.

Carmen Barton, matron at Evelina London said: "I recognised Eloise had found her forte when I saw a little girl she'd been working with skip into the scanner. That was job done, as far as I was concerned."

You can read more about Eloise's role, including what led her to becoming a play specialist and why play is so important for children having tests and scans in hospital.

Evelina London has play teams supporting babies, children and young people across our sites. This includes those being cared for at Evelina London Children's Hospital and Royal Brompton Hospital, where our teams are based, and resources for our children's community services in Lambeth and Southwark.