The Wishing Well Musicians are able to reach children with very complex needs and disabilities who present a high level of challenge to medical staff as they try to meet their wider needs, beyond the scope of medical interventions. The Musicians offer a new way to reach these children.
Several parents have commented that even the excellent Play Therapists at The Alex are not able to interact with some of the children on the High Dependency Unit. Observing and taking part in interactions really helped the staff to see these children in a new light and to find a new way to support them.
“Jacob has a very severe Cerebral Palsy. He has complex health problems and has been in for a lot of surgery and has been very poorly. But to see him totally light up and shake a rattle, in time with the musicians, all singing and laughing and therefore communicating at a level and a depth that the normal things we do here in Hospital just cannot access, is absolutely fantastic.
It (music) allows me to communicate with my patients in a way that I can’t normally or commonly communicate on a ward round for example. You know, I think to share something with your patient as a Doctor, definitely improves your ability to be a Therapeutic Agent for them”
Dr Kamal Patel, Consultant, HDU.
“To see him totally light up and shake a rattle, in time with the musicians, all singing and laughing and therefore communicating at a level and a depth that the normal things we do here in Hospital just cannot access, is absolutely fantastic. “
Dr Kamal Patel, Consultant, HDU
“We try very hard to reduce the amount of invasive sound...but the reality is that this is a Critical Care area. Small children lying in bed are surrounded by monitors alarming, fluid pumps alarming and anxious voices. Having calming sounds that they can use to tune away from us can help significantly reduce their distress.”
Janet Lee