Support Needed for Play Team at Leeds Children’s Hospital

April 16, 2026 Off By

Play Team provides crucial support for young patients and families

Three-year-old Leo was diagnosed with leukaemia in April 2023 and has spent much of the past year receiving treatment at Leeds Children’s Hospital. His mother, Rachel, has spoken about the important role played by the hospital’s Play Team during his care.

Role of the Play Team

According to Rachel, the Play Team helps prepare Leo for medical procedures and provides distractions during treatments such as chemotherapy. Activities like painting and crafting are used to engage children and ease the stress of hospital visits. Rachel emphasises that the support offered by the Play Team also provides essential respite for families, who often face exhausting schedules managing hospital trips and caring responsibilities.

She stated, “The Play Team are our lifeline. Not having the Play Team around would be unimaginable. Every child in hospital should have access to play, 7 days a week.”

Current availability and demand

In 2023, Leeds Children’s Hospital cared for approximately 11,000 young patients.
The Play Team is not currently available seven days a week across all wards.
Some patients have no access to the Play Team’s services.

The limited availability means that not all children admitted to the hospital can benefit from the support and activities provided by the Play Team, which aim to improve their hospital experience and emotional wellbeing.