Local MP champions children’s right to play in healthcare with Parliamentary drop-in

PRESS RELEASE FROM ALISTAIR STRATHERN MP

FRIDAY 10^th OCTOBER 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Alistair Strathern, MP for the Hitchin constituency, is hosting a Parliamentary drop-in event this week with children’s charity Starlight to shine a light on the vital role of play in children’s healthcare.

The event comes during Play in Healthcare Week, a national campaign celebrating the transformative impact of play for children in hospitals, GP surgeries, and other healthcare settings.

The drop-in event in Parliament will bring together MPs, peers, health leaders and play specialists to discuss how play can increase quality of life for vulnerable children.

Research from Starlight shows that play-based approaches can cut costs by reducing the need for sedation, shorten recovery times, and improve trust between families and healthcare professionals. However, access to play services remains inconsistent across the UK.

Alistair has been working closely with Starlight and NHS England following the launch of the Play Well Toolkit, which aims to embed play in children’s healthcare nationwide.

The event will take place in Parliament on the 14^th October.

Alistair Strathern MP said:

“Health play professionals do extraordinary work helping children understand and cope with treatment through play. It’s a simple idea with powerful results. It reduces fear, speeds up recovery, and improves long-term wellbeing.

“We want to make sure every child, in every hospital, benefits from play, not just those lucky enough to live in areas where it’s already available.

“I’m proud to host this event and to support Starlight’s mission to make play a fundamental part of children’s healthcare everywhere.”