Virtual reality for children in hospital

Being stuck in bed, surrounded by bright lights and clinical equipment, can be a scary time for children in hospital. That’s why, with the help of donations from supporters like you, ECHC provided £10,565 of funding for virtual reality (VR) headsets, to soothe and distract children experiencing severe pain and worry.

Made by Smileyscope, the VR goggles are proven to reduce patient pain by 60%, reduce anxiety by 40%, and reduce caregiver/clinician distress by 75%.

As well as exploring enchanted forests and diving to the depths of the ocean, children can prepare for daunting procedures like MRIs (with the help of falling doughnuts!) and do meditative deep breathing for relaxation.

By immersing themselves in captivating virtual environments, children and young people are distracted from needles, tests, prodding and poking; procedures become more comfortable, less painful and, for a little while, they find escape from their challenging reality.

It is only thanks to supporters like you that we can bring incredible pieces of kit like this to the hospital, helping children to navigate their medical journeys with courage and confidence.