Laughter really is best medicine for young patients
POORLY youngsters got an injection of laughter, music and magic when performers paid Rotherham Hospital a very vibrant visit.
Young patients on the Children’s Ward at Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust were visited by the Giggle Doctors from Theodora Children’s Charity.
Dr Scribble and Dr Nic Nac are specially trained performers, who will be visiting the ward once a month for the next year, an initiative funded by Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity.
The entertainers are put through a two-year intensive training course to cover clinical training such as infection control and artistic training, which helps them adapt their performance skills to the hospital environment.
One young patient, 14-year-old Scarlet from Rawmarsh was staying in hospital during the Giggle Doctors visit.
Her Mum Diane said: “Just 20 minutes before the Giggle Doctors came to see us, we were both in tears and Scarlet was really fed up.
“I cannot explain how much the Giggle Doctors visit made a difference – we went from sadness to laughter in the space of half an hour!
“They were amazing with Scarlet and instantly got her sense of humour – they knew exactly what to do to make her smile.
“I cannot thank them enough for making my daughter smile during a tough time.”
Rachael Dawes, head of fundraising for Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity – which has its hub in the Rotherham Hospital entrance – said: “This initiative wouldn’t be possible without the incredible kindness and support from our local community.
“These visits have a remarkable impact on the emotional wellbeing of our young patients and their families.
“For children, hospital stays can feel long and repetitive.
“There’s often very little joy in the day-to-day, so the Giggle Doctors’ visits really do make such a big difference and bring so much happiness.”
Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity worked with a number of local organisations who have fundraised for the charity to make the Giggle Doctors project possible including The Company of Cutlers Charitable Trust, students from the Education and Early Years programme at Thomas Rotherham College, Thomas Winstanley, Saiqa Ajaib – senior partner at UK Immigration Solutions Ltd – and Hays Travel Wickersley.