Child Life Programs and Services

Department	Offered in Department
PMDU	Clinic Playrooms - Can be booked through a Child Life Specialist. Support to all Outpatient Clinics, Lab Test Centre, Diagnostic Interventions, Treatments and Procedures. Referrals are accepted but not limited to: Developmental support Diagnosis education Preparation and procedural support Stress and coping Pill swallowing Pain management Compliance Bereavement Siblings.
Inpatient	The following Play and Activity Rooms can be booked through a Child Life Specialist: Craft Room Ashley’s Backyard (Toddler, Preschool Playroom) Teen Room SMILE room (Siskinds MultiSensory Interactive Learning Environment) Visitors are currently only accepted under special circumstances. Find the Children’s Hospital Patient and Family Guide here.
Hem/Onc	Child Life Specialists that work with Hematology and Oncology patients and support them throughout their hospital experience, both inpatient and outpatient.
Day Surgery	Preparation and support will be provided on the day of surgery. Parental Presence at Induction (PPI): A program that provides preparation and support to parents of children aged 12 months to 8 years old who would benefit from accompanying their child into the operating room until they are sedated for their surgery. Link to more info on preparing your child for surgery (list of books that are recommended) Watch the Youthful Lense on Day Surgery video on YouTube.
MRI	MRI Preparation Tour provides a hands-on opportunity for patients and their caregivers to explore the MRI department and practice before having their scan. When: Wednesdays afternoons Where: London Children’s Hospital PMDU Clinic Zone B1 200
PCCU	Will assist by preparing for a sibling visit, explaining common equipment present as well as ways to support from afar.
ED	Urgent/ emergent support for tests, procedures and hospitalization. Promote coping strategies, provide emotional support and transition to other clinical areas. LHSC Comfort Promise video.
Help Me Thrive	Provides developmentally-appropriate play and support to infants and toddlers with long hospitalizations. Educates and supports parents and caregivers on typical milestones; providing social and emotional support to the whole family. Along with their multi-disciplinary team, develops a care plan with goals that take the child’s underlying diagnosis and/or prognosis into consideration.
Minor Procedure Room	Offer preparation and education about the upcoming procedure and the ways that each staff member will work with you to make the procedure a positive experience. May accompany you into the procedure room for emotional support during anesthetic or possibly help to ensure a caregiver is present. Provide follow up after the procedure to ensure that all questions are answered and there is a feeling of comfort before leaving the hospital.
Alternative Coverage	Facilitates consistency of Child Life staffed areas, ensuring support is still available when staff are away. Promotes the Comfort Promise initiative that has been adopted by Children’s Hospital, LHSC.