A clinical commissioning group (CCG) and trust have joined forces to launch a cartoon to teach children what the experience of hospital is like.
Children used their drawings to inspire the artwork and helped to edit the final version to ensure it was child-friendly.
One in 11 children are referred to a hospital outpatient clinic each year and the cartoon will be used by healthcare staff to show hospitals are not as daunting as kids might think.
A clinical commissioning group (CCG) and trust have joined forces to launch a cartoon to teach children what the experience of hospital is like.
Children used their drawings to inspire the artwork and helped to edit the final version to ensure it was child-friendly.
One in 11 children are referred to a hospital outpatient clinic each year and the cartoon will be used by healthcare staff to show hospitals are not as daunting as kids might think.
BBC Look North presenter Amy Garcia has launched an NHS cartoon depicting children’s experiences of a hospital.
The animation has been backed by CBeebies’ Dr Ranj Singh, who labelled the idea “fantastic”.
Dr Ranj Sinh said: “I am pleased to be able to show my support for the new cartoon. I know all too well the difficulty children can have understanding their own health and the process in getting better so a cartoon that helps them understand is fantastic.”
“Children going into hospital are sometimes very nervous if they haven’t been before but as the cartoon shows there isn’t any need to be worried. It’s great because it shows that hospitals can be a really fun place especially when they get to know other children on the ward and the staff.”
Amy Garcia, who is an ex-children’s presenter, attended the launch of the programme and had the chance to meet the Rosie-Jane Cobbett who was one of the children whose picture was used in the cartoon.
Garcia (pictured) said: “I’m delighted to be invited along to the launch of this cartoon. Being in hospital can be a scary and daunting experience for a child so it’s a great way of making them feel at ease.”
NHS Leeds West CCG teamed up with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to create the animated video known as Kevin Makes Friends in Hospital.
Play specialist team leader at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Emma Marshall said: “Children are highly intuitive and adaptable so by giving them a better idea of what staying at hospital will be like will children will be more relaxed and settle quicker.
“We know that there are a lot of stories and myths when it comes to staying in hospitals which is why we want to separate the fiction from the truth. Hospitals can be scary and children won’t enjoy certain aspects of it but they also have fun, play games and make some life-long friends with the other children on the ward.”
DVD copies will be distributed to children outpatient clinics, GP practices and children’s centres.
A preview of the cartoon can be seen on YouTube.
