Giving sick children a break from reality

Cutting-edge gaming equipment has been donated to children at hospitals across the north and north-east in an effort to improve their stays in hospital.

Young patients in the ARCHIE Foundation ward at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary received two virtual reality (VR) headsets from the Orion Group, which has offices in Aberdeen and Inverness.

Further sets have been sent to the children’s wards at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee and Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.

It’s hoped they will lift the spirits of young patients by transporting them outside the confining walls of hospital during their stays.

Eight-year-old Alfie Nicoll from Inverurie, was the official tester of the Oculus Rift brand gaming devices at ARI yesterday.

Alfie, who has been staying in hospital due to a heart condition, “loves” to play games such as Minecraft and Roblox.

He’d never before had the chance to try VR and the Oculus Rift system swiftly gained his seal of approval.

The VR machines will be used recreationally as well as a means of distraction for young patients going under general anaesthetic or for children who are scared of injections.

The Orion group plans to donate more VR devices to special-needs schools in the north-east and Highlands and has promised to buy replacements for the hospitals and schools if the devices ever break.