Moorfields play specialist named Mentor of the Year

A play specialist at Moorfields Eye Hospital has been recognised for their role in guiding and inspiring the next generation of health play specialists.

Flossie Donovan was named Mentor of the Year by Starlight, the UK’s leading charity for children’s play in hospitals and hospices.

Starlight hosts its Health Play Awards annually and aims to “recognise inspirational healthcare professionals who work to ensure every child experiences the power of play.”

Announced during Play in Healthcare Week earlier this month, Donovan was celebrated for “her outstanding work in guiding the next generation of health play specialists.”

The role of a play specialist at Moorfields Eye Hospital involves helping and supporting children from their first appointment.

As a child, Donovan herself was a patient at Moorfields, having lost sight in her left eye due to a tumour when she was five.

Donovan shared: “As a child I was in and out of hospital, but there was no play, nothing for children. I brought some toys in with me one day, and a nurse told me, ‘This is not a children’s play area.’ That stuck with me.

“Later, when I moved to Moorfields for my care, there was a playroom and a play leader who made my experience in hospital so much better. That made me realise how important play is, and it inspired me to give back by becoming a play specialist myself.”

Donovan has been a play specialist at Moorfields for 24 years.

On receiving the award, she said: “I’m really honoured to have won this award. It’s great to feel appreciated for what you’re doing and to help mentor someone else to walk in your footsteps.”

Donovan was nominated by fellow play specialist, Gemma Peterman.

Peterman shared: “Like Flossie, I also have a visual impairment, and her presence at Moorfields was one of the main reasons I wanted to work here. She has showed me the lasting impact a play specialist can have on patient outcomes by reducing their anxiety.”