Set for child’s play

DANDENONG’S community has combined to put a smile on the faces of children in hospital.
Dandenong Hospital’s paediatric ward is getting a make-over thanks to donations by local businesses for a new play area.
The project will providea safe and protected areafor the children to go out-side and away from theward environment.
It will include a sail shade cloth, rubber flooring, a 2m-high toughened glass barricade on the edge of the balcony, tables and chairs and play equipment.
Southern Health’s head of play education, Paula Matthews, said play therapy made a difference.
“When children or adolescents are admitted to hospital they are at their most vulnerable,” she said.
“They are not only unwell but they are separated from their friends, family and familiar surroundings, which may lead to increased stress.
“Play therapy in hos-pital can often serve as a diversion to keep a child’s mind off pain and medical procedures, assist healing and rehabilitation and allow children to participate in familiar activities that they would normally engage in at home, kindergarten or school.”