Stickers to ease stress for visitors to Spalding area's Johnson Community Hospital

By Libby Mayne

Patients who are anxious about their blood appointments at the Johnson Community Hospital can receive small goodies such as personalised stickers, sweets and fluffy bugs to help ease their stress.

Many patients, especially children, are nervous about attending appointments and it is hoped this can help ease their worries.

Danielle Hotlon, clinical team lead at Johnson Community Hospital, said: “The idea is to help them feel more comfortable, more at ease, and they also get a little goodie for being brave.”

The staff at the Johnson Community Hospital have also put other procedures in place to help ease the children’s stress - including talking to them in easy to understand.

Danielle said: “For very nervous children, we can arrange a meet and greet with the nurse before their appointment.

“We can show them equipment, explain what will happen on the day and make sure the child sees the same nurse to help minimise any anxieties.”

The small goodies for Spalding’s patients were funded by the Lincolnshire NHS Charity, a charity that works to enhance services and facilities that would not otherwise be funded by the NHS. To find out more about the Lincolnshire NHS Charity, or help fundraise, visit the charity’s website.