Water, air and gas rockets were all on the operating list at Benenden Hospital this week when the paediatric ward celebrated Play Day, a national celebration of children’s right to play.

The hospital’s play assistant, Rosa Morris, brought in equipment made from everyday items, such as plastic drink bottles, and helped the young patients make rockets from water, air and a mixture of bicarbonate of soda and vinegar.

“We played outside – otherwise the ward could have been a bit messy – and the children had a great time,” said Rosa. “I wanted to focus on non-conventional play items in a way that they might not use them at home and extend their play boundaries.”

Play is an important part of any child’s life, but when a child is in hospital it is crucial - and to make them feel as much at home as possible there is a well-stocked playroom on the ward run by qualified play specialist Nikki Henry with play assistant Rosa.

“We don’t use theatre gowns and children can even go into the anaesthetic room in their dressing up clothes,” said paediatric sister Eleanor Jeans. “We show them a film of Bobby the Benenden Bear being anaesthetised and children usually have no problem after that and are quite relaxed going into theatre.

“This is where play plays an important part in the children’s treatment by taking their mind off things by distracting them with exciting games and play activities. We also find that the first thing they want to do when they recover from their operation is get to the playroom as fast as possible.”

Benenden Hospital has a 12 bed children’s ward, which is one of the few recommended by BUPA for patients under the age of three. It was also commended by the Royal College of Surgeons as a hospital that provided excellent children’s services.

The hospital treats members of The Benenden Healthcare Society, NHS patients under the Free Choice scheme and private patients. The hospital is set in the countryside near Benenden and is convenient for residents of Kent and East Sussex.