GOSH Play Street!

To mark Clean Air Day 2019, Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) opened its first “Play Street” for patients and the local community, as part of pioneering work to improve air quality. In a collaborative project between GOSH and clean air campaigners, the street outside the hospital was closed to traffic for four hours and transformed into a rainbow- themed play area, with a host of activities championing the therapeutic, emotional and psychological benefits of play, in a safe, clean-air environment.

Hospital patients and children from the local area were invited to enjoy the play space and play equipment, which included a rainbow-themed race track and slide designed by patients, as well as activities including hopscotch, ball games and face painting.

Play Street forms a key part of GOSH’s ongoing work to support the health of patients and their families, staff and the local community by improving air quality in and around the hospital.

In March, GOSH and Global Action Plan launched the first ever Clean Air Hospital Framework (CAHF). The framework set out actions NHS trusts can take in key areas including procurement and supply chain, travel arrangements and staff training to create a healthier environment.

GOSH has already begun using the CAHF to implement immediate actions alongside more long-term strategic planning. It is hoped the wider NHS community will champion the framework so that patients and communities across the UK can benefit.

Great Ormond Street Hospital Chief Executive, Mat Shaw, added: “Everyday at GOSH we see first-hand the importance of clean air in supporting people to live healthy lives.

“GOSH has been leading national efforts to improve air quality through our partnership with Global Action Plan to deliver the first ever Clean Air Hospital Framework. We hope the framework will support hospitals around the country to create healthier environments for their patients, staff and surrounding communities.

“GOSH is proud to deliver our first ever Play Street as we continue to find innovative ways to improve air quality in and around the hospital.”