A play specialist at Withybush Hospital has received a top award for the vital role she plays in caring for sick children.
Jackie Broadhurst, of Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS Trust, has been named as the Wales and the South West regional winner in the Rays of Sunshine Hospital Play Specialist Awards 2006 designed to recognise staff who transform a child's hospital experience by providing access to healing, calming and fun play.
The award scheme was set up by Rays of Sunshine Children's Charity in conjunction with the National Association of Hospital Play Staff who work closely with Play Specialists across the United Kingdom in granting the wishes of terminally and seriously ill children.
Said Jackie: "I am absolutely delighted to win this accolade. I love my job and I believe that what we do works - we can make a difference. This award scheme is very important in raising awareness of the role in helping children to understand and deal with their illness or treatment. There is nothing more rewarding than this and hopefully it will attract more people into the work."
Jackie was nominated by Withybush Hospital consultant paediatrician Dr. Gustavo Vas Falcao, who praised her drive and enthusiasm. He said: "Jackie introduced the concept of play specialist to our hospital and continues to be a driving force for change and improvement." Jackie's nomination was also endorsed by Carole Matchwick, whose four-year-old daughter has been a patient at Withybush.
She said: "Jackie shows great personal pride in her job, which she clearly loves and shows true care and interest in her patients. During my daughter's MRI scan, Jackie helped prepare her by getting her to lie in a child's plastic tunnel. Jackie contacted us a few days later to see how the scan had gone and even sent us a little note with some photographs." Jackie received her award at a ceremony at British Airways Corporate HQ on December 4, where the national winner was announced.
Said Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS Trust chief executive Keith Thomson: "Play specialists carry out invaluable work in creating an environment where stress and anxiety are reduced for children. Jackie is an outstanding example of a dedicated and professional play specialist who has made a real difference to the lives of many children and parents at Withybush Hospital. We are extremely proud of her work and congratulate her on this well- deserved success."