Hospital environments can be a challenging place for children and young people. However, a new interactive tool aims to apply virtual technology to help them and their families feel more comfortable during health visits.

The tool has been developed by Kyra Boyle, an MRes Digital Art and Technology student working alongside academics at the University of Plymouth. Her initial brief was to give young visitors an awareness of the hospital environment in an enjoyable and engaging way, combining a pre-planned resource with a tool for them to use on the day of a visit.The result has been developed in conjunction with the Digital Futures team and the Paediatric mental health team at Torbay & South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (TSDFT). Currently in prototype form, it is an easy to use and easy to access smart phone application which young people or families can download before a hospital visit.

They can then access a range of content – such as a 360-degree ward walk and an avatar to help direct them and their families – which aims to address key areas of concern, signpost to important resources and improve support for those struggling with their mental health.

It has also been awarded additional funding to enable Kyra to complete focus group testing, evaluation and modification of the app in the hope of deploying this intervention live in the Torbay & South Devon NHS Foundation Trust within the next four to six months. The Trust also believes the application has the potential to be rolled out across the South West in the future.