Helping young patients see the friendly face behind the mask

The Paediatric Renal Service and Play Teams at RHC have been into cartoon caricatures of themselves by an artist, which they now wear as a badge on their uniform.

These were donated by the Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity who have provided 71 caricature badges to staff.

Dr Ben Reynolds, consultant paediatric nephrologist at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, who leads the Royal Hospital for Children paediatric transplant service, has said these have made an impact on his patients.

Dr Reynolds said: “As paediatricians, our focus is always on providing child-centred care. The cartoon badges are a great way to remind our well-known patients what we look like behind the mask, and a friendly touch when meeting new patients for the first time.

“The day the badges arrived, the laughter from the children's dialysis unit filled the ward. as they compared all the different faces. The badges still cause fits of the giggles in some of the kids (and staff!) and have definitely helped distract from the impact of everyone wearing masks.”

Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity launched its Sunshine Caricature Ward Wish in October in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and staff having to wear PPE and masks.

Claire Kelly, hospital liaison manager, said: “We are so pleased to know our Sunshine Caricature Badges are a huge hit with patients and staff alike, having such a fun and positive impact to children receiving treatment.

"To be isolated and unwell as a young person at such an uncertain time is really scary, so we were thrilled to create badges for the staff at NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Hospital to help bring some fun and sunshine to their wards.”

Rays of Sunshine is a national children’s charity that brightens the lives of seriously ill children aged three to 18 across the UK by granting their greatest wishes and providing ongoing support within hospitals.To apply for a Ward Wish or learn more about the services visit www.raysofsunshine.org.uk.