The Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh has become one of the first in Scotland to use a virtual reality headset to help children prepare for surgery.
In 2023 Hearts & Minds, along with acclaimed filmmakers Neon8, approached NHS Lothian Charity to ask them to partner on a pioneering new project and we are proud to share this project as it starts to be put into practice.
Patients at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP) will now be able to prepare for surgery through an immersive virtual reality (VR) experience.
Thanks to funding from the Hearts & Minds charity, and NHS Lothian charity, the RHCYP will launch its first VR film alongside five headsets this week as part of an innovative pilot.
A number of patients and staff members were involved in the development of the VR pilot including Isla Burns, 14, who advised on the script with Hearts & Minds and recorded the introduction.
Ben Winger, aka Dr Squash, wrote the script with Hearts & Minds artists and staff at RHCYP along with Isla’s input on her experiences of surgery.
Isla, along with stars of the film Dr Squeegie and Dr Squash, takes centre stage in the project after undergoing ten operations and surgical procedures since she was two years old and is keen to reassure and help other children and young people.
The VR film features the Clowndoctors with Dr Squeegie about to undergo surgery for a ‘squeak fix’ on her red nose at the RHCYP. Alongside the help of NHS Lothian staff, the Clowndoctors showcase a virtual walk through of the pre-operation journey, from the surgical ward, into the anaesthetic room and then into theatre.
The film, which was produced by filmmakers Neon8 who initiated the project with Hearts & Minds, uses cutting-edge technology which enables patients to have a gentle immersive viewing experience while remaining seated or reclined.
Isla used her own experiences to help the Clowndoctors outline every step of the process and put the minds of younger patients at ease.
Project Rollout
The VR pilot is being rolled out within the hospital and will be managed by Play Specialists who generally prepare children for surgery.
Rachel Colles, Co-Artistic Lead, Hearts & Minds, said: “I first tried a VR headset when running a research project for children exploring virtual reality theatre with Neon8. It was fantastic to see the children’s responses and excitement with this medium and it occurred to us that we could use this in our work as Clowndoctors.
This collaboration with NHS Lothian alongside our fabulous Clowndoctor colleagues has allowed us to create what I hope will be a beneficial and enjoyable way to support children preparing for surgery at the RHCYP.”
Allister Short, Director of Women’s and Children’s Services at NHS Lothian, said: “I would like to especially thank Isla and her family alongside our staff and charity partners who helped to craft this extraordinary VR film. When a child is about to have surgery, it is often an emotionally unsettling time for the entire family. It’s hoped that the VR headsets will help to alleviate patient’s anxieties before a procedure takes place. ”
“I look forward to seeing the positive impact this ground-breaking technology will have on patients and staff.”
Jane Greenacre, Head of Programmes, NHS Lothian Charity, said: “We are delighted to have funded five VR headsets which aim to reduce children’s worries before they undergo surgery. The VR headsets will enable children and their parents to complete a virtual walk through of what will happen at each step of their pre-operation journey.
This is a great example of how NHS Lothian Charity works with NHS Lothian colleagues and third sector partners to support ideas that improve the experience of patients and their families across the Lothians.”
Hearts & Minds were delighted to work with the teams in the hospital and with Isla and her invaluable insight into her own personal experience of visiting hospital for procedures.
In 2024 we are celebrating 25 years of the Clowndoctors and RHCYP – then affectionately known as The Sick Kids, were one of our original partners in 1999. This project highlights the longevity of our partnership and the developments we are making in healthcare clowning here in Scotland.
More about Isla.
Isla from Edinburgh had surgery at the RHCYP to lengthen her left leg which had developed to be 8cm shorter than her right. She underwent an initial 8-hour surgery where her leg was broken and then encased in a brace which screwed 26 metal pins into her leg.
Every day, her mum Annabelle had to turn the pins to move Isla’s bones further apart, encouraging a ‘ghost bone’ to grow in between.
Isla said: “When I was a little younger and virtual reality wasn’t used in hospitals yet, it was hard to visualise what would happen before my operations by chatting it through. This virtual reality film will help young people by allowing them to see what the wards look like and get an idea of how the whole process works. It is a great visual tool that will help so many kids prepare for their operations and feel less anxious about what is to come.”
After the operation, Isla’s leg grew 7cm in just seven weeks. She has since had had a further 9 surgeries and spent a full year learning to walk again under the guidance of physiotherapists at the RHCYP.
