This week marks Play in Health Care Week – an annual celebration recognising the vital role of play in healthcare settings for babies, children, and young people. The event highlights and showcases the incredible work of Health Play Specialists and play staff who use play to support patients through treatment, recovery, and emotional wellbeing.
Formerly known as Play in Hospital Week, the name was changed in 2024 to Play in Health Care Week to better reflect the breadth of play across all healthcare environments, not just hospitals.
This year’s theme, “Celebrating 50 Years of Play,” pays tribute to the evolution and lasting importance of therapeutic play within healthcare.
Since joining the Emergency Department at Darlington Memorial Hospital in late 2023, Lorraine Garbutt has made a remarkable impact as the department’s first recruited Play Specialist.
Deeply committed to her role, Lorraine is a passionate advocate for the value of play within the NHS - championing its professional, scientific, and educational foundations.
Lorraine consistently exemplifies excellence, serving as a role model who goes above and beyond to support colleagues, patients, and their families.
Her dedication to the Paediatric Emergency Department is reflected in the wide range of resources she has introduced, including memory boxes designed to support families coping with the loss of a child in the department.
Her innovative and compassionate approach also reaches beyond paediatrics. Lorraine has developed tailored resources for elderly patients - particularly those living with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or cognitive impairments - to offer comfort and meaningful distraction during long waits in the Emergency Department.
Her strong links with local charities have further enriched the department’s resources, making her an invaluable member of the team.
To mark Play in Health Care Week, there will be a display and members of the team outside the restaurant at University Hospital of North Durham on Wednesday 15 October 2025, celebrating the positive impact of play across healthcare and honouring those who bring it to life every day.
