Why there's a buzz in Children's HDU

09 Feb Archive bee chair.jpg

Previously the Chelsea Children’s Hospital Charity, we re-launched as The Children’s Surgery Foundation in 2019 to reflect the national scope of our work today. The story below is from our days as the Chelsea Children’s Hospital Charity.

Who'd have thought a bee could help babies and children with complex needs? Thanks to our new Bee Chair, there's now a real buzz in the children's high dependency unit (CHDU). Babies and children under five are getting brilliant help for their play sessions, helping them achieve important milestones.

The friendly-looking Bee Chair by Jiraffe is appealing to very young children and is a gentle and playful introduction to supportive seating.

Senior play specialist Laura Skinner explains: "Many of our patients have complex medical and developmental needs and stay in the hospital for long periods, sometimes even for years. 

"During a play session we use toys and activities to help a child work towards different developmental milestones. It can be very difficult to support the child in a sitting position while encouraging them to reach and grab toys. But with the Bee Chair, nurse, parents, play specialists and therapists can get so much more from a play session for the benefit of the child."