Dolls help children in hospital understand medical equipment through play

3D printed toy donation to QEH's children's ward helps children understand medical equipment and procedures.

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (QEH) has been surprised by a generous gift from 3D Toy Shop that helps children get familiar with medical equipment whilst in hospital.

The play therapy pack has been specially designed to be used by health care professionals in a healthcare setting to help children understand medical equipment and procedures with the aim of reducing their anxiety.

The specially designed dolls can wear their very own hospital gown, pretend to have finger prick tests, have a catheter and stoma bag, a pacemaker, their own crutches and more.

Nicola Wright, Health Play Specialist at the hospital, said: “This equipment can be safely used with children to help them to understand what will happen to them in hospital. “Hospital can be daunting, and we want children to have the most positive journey possible. Play is a normal, fun activity for children and we can role play with these dolls and equipment to help generate understanding. A huge thank you to the volunteers who made this equipment and for those who donated towards the cost of it.”

Joshua Schwarz, age eight from King’s Lynn, was recently an inpatient at The QEH for surgery. Chris Schwarz, Joshua’s dad, said “Kids need and like engagement, things such as this that keep them calm helps whilst they are in hospital.”

Grace Allen, mum to four-year-old Hayden, also from King’s Lynn, had used similar equipment in the past for her son who has a feeding tube. She said: “I have seen the benefits of this myself at home, it makes a real difference. We have role played the baby having feeding tubes and syringes and when he woke up from his surgery he was okay with it and even fed his doll. It was seeing the 3D Toyshop originally that made me think of using one. Hayden’s nursery also uses these dolls to educate other children, it is a lifeline for children.”

For more information or to donate to enable other children to benefit in healthcare settings visit 3dtoy.shop.

Ends.   Notes to editors; For media enquiries only, please contact Communications Team, [email protected] or 01553 613216. For all other enquiries, please contact QEH Switchboard on 01553 613613.

To download the press release and photos, click here.

Posted on: June 24 2025    •    Posted in: Community Heroes, Patient Care, QEH Hospital