Rachael wins Starlight’s national Protector of Play Award
An NUH employee has won the prestigious Starlight Protector of Play Award in time for National Play in Healthcare Week.
Rachael Busby, Advanced Practitioner Children’s Occupational Therapist at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH), has been recognised for her extraordinary efforts in integrating play into the everyday care of youngsters.
Rachael – part of our long-term ventilation team – works with play specialists to ensure play is an integral part of children’s treatment, and helps young patients achieve functional independence.
She was presented with her award by Cathy Gilman, Chief Executive Officer of Starlight, the UK’s leading charity for children’s play in hospitals and hospices.
Cathy said: “I’d like thank you from the bottom of our hearts and congratulate you, Rachael, on being the Starlight Protector of Play 2024.
“This award recognises the importance of a culture of play in healthcare and the vital contribution that all kinds of health professionals can make by keeping play central to children’s experience of hospital. It also recognises the importance of making sure that children’s right to play is protected at a time when it is most needed.
“At Starlight, we believe that children should be able to live every day even when they are sick. It is evident our winner of the Protector of Play Award believes this too - Rachael has a passion for ‘play in the everyday’.”
“It’s my job,” said Rachael, “and you don’t think you’re doing anything other than your job, but it is really nice to be acknowledged for something that you are very passionate about, and to have been nominated by a colleague. Play is such an important occupation for children.”
The Starlight awards are in their 6th year and the vital role of play in multi-disciplinary teams has grown.
Cathy said: “Daily opportunities to play can take away the anxiety of illness, reduce the loneliness and isolation of being in hospital, and help children to take seemingly overwhelming challenges in their stride. Play isn’t just toys and bubbles; it involves qualified and experienced professionals who enable shorter procedures and reduced needs for sedation and even repeat appointments.”
Rachael was nominated by colleague and Play Specialist Carole Taylor. She said: “Rachael sees the importance of all aspects of play, both therapeutic and fun. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and her dedication to integrating play into everyday care has made a significant difference on the wards. She’s a true Protector of Play, always advocating for play therapy to be accessible and engaging for all patients, even those with the most complex needs.”
One of Rachael and Carole’s patients is Edward Mills, who will be two years old in January and has never left the hospital. He has a condition that means he stops breathing when he falls asleep.
“We’ve known him since he was born,” said Rachael. “Whenever we walk on a ward we all always have to go over and have a chat with him.
“Unfortunately, the time to play is very hard in a hospital environment.
“With Edward, Carole and I initially started with speaking to him, singing to him, and holding him, as we needed to get him in a stable place where he could engage. He can get very overwhelmed in new environments.
“As he got older, Edward was motivated by play, and he would play, but he wouldn’t move to play, so we had to encourage him to independently play, adapting play to encourage him to move, such as rolling a ball, and he had to reach for it to get it back.
“Along the way we’ve reviewed where he is developmentally. So when he was 18 months, from a movement and transition point of view he was only about 4/5 months. But now he is independently playing on the floor, and standing up, and will actively seek out play – but he can still get overwhelmed.”
The awards judging panel included Cathy, Norma Juntai from the Society of Health Play Specialists, Richard Owen from NHS England, and Krutika Pau, Director of Children’s Services at Starlight.
“We had a very tough job to do, but were unanimous in our choice of winner,” said Cathy. “Rachael’s work shows the profound impact that play can have on a child’s recovery and development. Her innovative and compassionate approach ensures that even the most vulnerable children can experience the joy and healing power of play every day. She truly embodies the Protector of Play Award.”
“I’m incredibly proud of Rachael,” said Carole. “She always puts play first - she has given me the reason for doing what I do.”