AH ANNUAL REPORT 2018

F. The Alder Play App
Aims:
• To create a state of the art app that enhances the
experience of care for children and young people
at Alder Hey
• To distract, reward and familiarise children using
a familiar digital medium
• To engage with parents to answer their questions
about Alder Hey and what may happen during
their child’s visit to the hospital
Reasons for Change
The Alder Play app has been developed by the
Innovation Team at Alder Hey working in partnership
with Alder Hey Children’s Charity. Designed with the
help of young patients, the app is powered by the very
latest digital and cognitive advances.
Evidence suggests that distraction can reduce worries
and fears in children, whilst rewards can support
positive health behaviours. Both approaches are used
widely across the hospital, but this is the first time a
bespoke digital medium will assist staff to engage
children to enhance their experience of care.
Improvement
The app uses gaming and augmented reality to distract
patients having procedures in hospital. Young patients
choose an avatar which will help them understand their
hospital visit before they arrive and guide them through
a tour of the main hospital areas.
Rewards in the form of virtual stickers can be given by
staff to acknowledge or encourage progress and there
are games and video content to access too.
Within Alder Play, parents are also able to interact
with a chatbot called “Ask Oli” to ask questions about
the hospital and what may happen to their child. The
chatbot is powered by artificial intelligence and can
answer questions in real time.
Future Plans
The IT team at Alder Hey have provided continued
expert input to Alder Play and involvement has been
furthered enhanced by the GDE programme. As Alder
Play is introduced across the Trust, the Innovation Team
will work closely with departments to support adoption
and realise the benefits of Alder Play. Initial evaluation
of impact will be led by a strategic partnership with The
University of Liverpool.
Development of Alder Play will continue, informed by
the needs of children, families and staff. The Children
and Young Peoples
Forum have already
played a central role and
will continue to do so.
Alder Play originated a
number of years ago
when a seven year
old patient Niamh
suggested to hospital
staff the idea for an app
to be created that would
distract children like
her while they were in
hospital.
Niamh now says.
“It is exciting to see
that the app is coming
to life and providing
entertainment for other
children like me. I
really like the ‘Ask Oli’
page which is really
helpful and means kids
and parents can ask
questions about their
stay in hospital.”
3.3.3 PRIORITY 3 – Increase the
Number of Defined Clinical Care
Pathways across our Specialties
In reviewing feedback from patients and staff, and in
analysing complaints, incidents, mortality and morbidity
reports, the Trust recognises that there is a degree of
variation in care across the specialties and across the
week. We are committed to utilising best practice, such
as NICE guidelines, national service specifications and
other evidence to ensure the same standardised, high
quality care is delivered to all patients seven days a
week.
In striving to deliver this priority, the Trust agreed to
place a specific focus on:
• Developing care pathways across clinical specialties
• Developing a system of 7 day working
Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust 120
Annual Report & Accounts 2017/18