Time to Talk #TT

Time to Talk and Listen #TTL

As this week begins, having just returned from some much needed annual leave- it gives you time to stop, think things through and make a mental list of the things that might be different if we just took time to talk and listen.
This is a very simple way of showing we are present, willing to engage and ready to listen.
Not just with our patients, and families.


Time to talk with our peers, and professional colleagues- then time to listen to what is being said, just by doing that we could impact on that persons day in a positive way, empower them, support them, be alongside them.
The best team approach is..
"what would you like to achieve, work on, explore, or ask today"
Our goals can be so small sometimes, but just as important.
 Because of this we miss making them, all health care professionals have the ability to wear red shoes!!

When working with children, young people and their families I always allow some moments to observe, by standing on the touchline if you like, to watch the relationships between the nursing and clinical staff and the families between each other evolve.
During this time I can look for the subtle differences, the fears that bubble to the surface and the questions that they need answering.
My opening introductions are " Hello my name is Sian, I am not a nurse or a doctor, I am a Play Specialist" Then I wait for a minute.
" Some of the doctors and nurses call me a funny name- so I will share it with you, and you can decide- Its NutNut or Nitty NuttyNora"

I sometimes change this dependant on the age of my patient- but mostly I am always called NutNut! a bit like a spikey hedgehog, cute to look at, and hair that is spikey

" My role is to support you while you are in hospital, listen to your questions, I am honest and I never lie, because its important you feel you can trust me"

In a hospital or clinical environment it is always so alien like, add to that the stress and emotive feelings, and then you have a situation that is so highly charged its somewhat like a firework.

I wanted to share my  #TTL tips. These are not new ideas- but ones that support the many roles we have.

• Chatting for that extra 5 minutes- allows trust to build, information to be gathered and works out ways forward and a plan= win win
• Where there are accessible platforms- engagement and honesty are key elements to encourage working together partnerships.
• C&YP need a supportive place to be healthy, so they can learn about there illness, and ways they can manage it and care for themselves.
• There are lots of questions that need asking during an admission- bringing in a Play specialist can allow this process to be less overpowering, I always like to know the following.
• Favourite colour, music, toy, words, place to go, activity, holiday,
• Least favourite things.

This way we can use that information as a means of providing conversation and language that is not clinically based - it shows we are interested in them as an individual and that we listened and we are present in that moment.

I am then able to use these elements in any prep play or distraction I need to do.
I spend a lot of my working week, supporting emotional wellbeing, I share with C&YP - its ok to be scared, its ok to know it might be sore, or painful, its NOT ok to NOT say this.
It takes courage to be different, to say these things, to reveal wounds.
We all strive to enhance the patient experience with positivity and honestly, and a willingness to learn, each day.
We all strive to support each other, with care and compassion, support and a listening ear.
Final thought................
Creating memories, supportive work, being upset as HCP's makes us who we are, how we care and nurse, how we lead, and how we effect change, and teach others to do this to.