Young patients having an operation at the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust can now take a new virtual reality tour of the Children’s Ward and operating theatres ahead of their procedure, to help calm any nerves they may have.
Two films have been produced and uploaded to the RUH’s website, thanks to funding from the Time is Precious charity, which aim to show young patients what to expect when they come to the hospital.
The films were made by Consultant Anaesthetist, Dr Rebecca Leslie, and one features her daughter, Sadie, when she came to the hospital for an operation.
There are two new videos – one aimed at children aged under eight, and another for those aged eight and above. They were filmed before the COVID-19 pandemic, so some staff may be seen wearing less PPE than they would now.
Subjects covered in the films include:
- A tour of the Children’s Ward and play area
- Having your blood pressure and temperature taken
- Staff wearing PPE
- Having your anaesthetic, or ‘sleep medicine’
- That all-important reminder to bring your favourite teddy with you.
“The films aim to make our young patients, and their parents, less anxious about coming to the hospital by showing them what to expect,” said Rebecca. “We already have a couple of films on the website, but we felt it was time to update them and by using virtual reality we could give patients a much better look around the department.”