Virtual reality goggles creating a safe space for our youngest patients

15 Feb 2018

15 February 2018

Eight-year-old Noah had the opportunity to try out the goggles during a recent visit to John of God Murdoch Hospital to have his grommets removed.

Noah’s mum Jodie said the virtual reality goggles created a more enjoyable experience for Noah and made the time pass quickly in comparison to previous hospital visits.

“Noah loves technology and hadn’t experienced anything like the goggles before, so he jumped at the chance to give them a go,” Jodie said.

“He was very curious about what was happening on his virtual underwater adventure and it distracted him from the procedure, he loved it.

“I would definitely ask to use them again if Noah was to have another procedure. I even had a try myself and found them fantastic.”

St John of God Health Care Group Director of Digital and Transformation Ms Jenny Levy said it was great to hear from patients about their positive experience with the goggles.

“Children and teenagers are surrounded by technology in their everyday lives. New technologies, such as these virtual reality goggles, go towards helping them feel more comfortable in our hospitals,” she said.

Paediatric Ward Nurse Manager Wendy Singleton said the goggles provided a great distraction for patients in the new ward, which increased bed numbers from 12-beds to 30.

“Reducing stress and anxiety through distracting patients from a procedure not only makes them feel better, it makes our job better as well,” she said.