Community
25 January, 2024
Underwater adventures for young patients
BLOOD tests and other medical procedures can be frightening for young children, but the experience is now a little less daunting thanks to the introduction of SmileyScope.
At a cost of $3000 per unit to hire on a 12-month basis, the SmileyScope goggles take children on virtual-reality adventures to relieve stress and anxiety during their medical procedures.
Looking through the goggles, children can swim with seals, snuggle kittens at cat cafes and relax under a starry sky.
Used in leading children’s hospitals both in Australia and the United States, South West Healthcare trialled one in its paediatric unit (and one in the emergency department paediatrics treatment room) last year and had great success.
“They are fantastic as a distraction for children undergoing procedures involving needles in particular,” paediatric unit nurse Sophie Weir said.
“Kids who have been anxious have often become more relaxed and have really enjoyed the adventures through the goggles.”
Emergency department nurse unit manager Jess Brereton also praised the SmileyScope.
“They’re a wonderful asset to the hospital and staff are using them in paediatrics three or four times a day,” Jess said.
South West Healthcare is currently fundraising to hire more goggles, and was this week thrilled that the Southwest Bottles and Collectables Club will be donating some proceeds from its annual show towards the rental costs.
“We’re very grateful to the club for their support and hope the community will turn out to enjoy the annual show,” Jess said.
South West Bottle and Collectables Club member Steve Morgan said the show would be held at the Wannon Function Centre (at the greyhound racing club) on February 3 and 4.
“This will be a state show and will feature collectables for sale of every description, as well as bottles,” Mr Morgan said.
“Most importantly, we will be raising money to help with the rental of two SmileyScopes for the hospital.”
As part of the show, members of the Warrnambool Historical Vehicle Car Club will also have some vehicles on display.
“Our club currently has about 380 members, most of who come from Warrnambool and district, and among us all we have about 760 cars, so hopefully we’ll get a few along on February 3 and 4 and help support this great fundraiser,” former club president Ray Begelhole said.
The show will run from 9am each day.
