More of southeast Queensland’s sick and injured kids will have access to Child Life Therapy services thanks to The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation’s remarkable supporters.
In July of this year, a new Child Life Therapist joined Meenu at The Prince Charles Hospital (TPCH), and the program was expanded to Caboolture Hospital with their first-ever Child Life Therapist commencing in the same month.
Chief Executive Officer of The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation, Steve Francia, said the appointments reflect the generosity of the Foundation’s remarkable corporate and community supporters.
“We were proud to fund the very first Child Life Therapist at The Prince Charles Hospital in 2022, and we’re equally proud to add another one at TPCH and also extend support of that role into Caboolture Hospital,” Mr Francia said.
“The Foundation has committed $900,000 across multiyear funding for the Child Life Therapist roles across the hospitals we are proud to support.”
What is a Child Life Therapist?
A Child Life Therapist (CLT) is an allied health professional who utilises evidence-based, play-based, and positive distraction techniques, as well as age-appropriate interventions, to reduce fear, anxiety, and pain related to medical assessments, treatments, and procedures.
“Sometimes, if a child has had a traumatic experience in the past, that raises their anxiety. If they are too anxious, their ability to process information goes away – so the first step is to reduce that stress and anxiety and then provide information appropriate for their developmental level,” said Meenu, The Prince Charles Hospital’s first Child Life Therapist.
The clinical services a CLT provides can help children who present to the paediatric Emergency Department, outpatient or inpatient wards with both minor and complex conditions. This support not only enhances the healthcare experience but can also reduce the need for sedation and lead to improved long-term health outcomes.
The emotional and psychological support provided is family-centred, meaning children and their family members feel more at ease, and families feel more involved in their child’s care, which fosters a stronger relationship with healthcare providers.
“Working closely with families, I collaborate to create coping strategies that provide a sense of control in challenging situations. I use play as a tool to connect with children effectively. Play within the hospital environment fosters a feeling of well-being and safety. The ‘felt safety’ helps me get through to them (the children) even when they’re overly anxious,” said the hospital’s Child Life Therapist, Meenu Wadhwa.
“My approach is rooted in family-centred trauma-informed care principles, recognising that supporting parents is often as vital as preparing the children for procedures.”
How the Child Life Therapy Program Began at TPCH
In 2022, the first Child Life Therapist began at TPCH, thanks to funding from Hospital United for Sick Kids and one of its major partners, Coles.
This role helped around 2,000 patients and their families in its first year of the pilot project launch. More than 60% of those children were aged six or under.
Research conducted demonstrated the benefits of the Child Life Program and the need to expand to help more children, their families, and staff.
Expanding the Child Life Therapy Program
The evidence supported the expansion of the program, which was also made possible by our generous community of individual and corporate supporters.
This year, a portion of the funds raised from the Chain Reaction Challenge was allocated to the role at TPCH, along with Giving Day funds raised in 2024.
The first Child Life Therapist role at Caboolture Hospital is being supported by funds raised through Hospitals United for Sick Kids and its major partners.
Meet Lucy: New Caboolture Hospital Child Life Therapist
Caboolture Hospital’s first Child Life Therapist, Lucy, began in July and divides her time between the Paediatric Ward and Paediatric Emergency Department.
Lucy was previously a Paediatric Occupational Therapist, where she was passionate about working with neurodiverse children.
“Coming to a busy and unfamiliar environment can be an anxious time for children and their families, especially when kids are feeling so unwell,” Lucy said.
“My goal is to make the experience a little easier and more comfortable.”
Meet Lisa: New TPCH Child Life Therapist
The Prince Charles Hospital’s second Child Life Therapist, Lisa, joined Meenu in July.
Lisa was also an Occupational Therapist with a background in paediatrics.
“I chose to work as a Child Life Therapist because I love witnessing the immediate impact our role has – not only on the child but also on their family and the multidisciplinary team. Using our understanding of child development and targeted interventions, we empower children to take an active role in their care and develop coping skills,” said Lisa.
“We help them understand their experience through play, their most natural way of learning, ensuring a positive hospital stay that shapes their future relationship with healthcare. What I love most is that no child is the same, and each day is different, combining creativity, fun, and medicine in meaningful ways.”
Your support makes a huge difference
The expansion of this program will help thousands of children in south-east Queensland and their families over the coming years.
Initiatives like this one can’t happen without the kind support of remarkable donors.
If you would like to show your support and help us help Queenslanders live healthier for longer, please click here.
