Toy cars take children to surgery

CHILDREN in hospital for an operation in Bradford have been racing to theatre in a donated fleet of cars.

The push-along vehicles are proving to be a hit among small children who are often tearful and anxious as they walk to the operating theatre. Hospital play specialists have been able to push the youngsters through the hospital in the mini cars donated by Bradfordbased restaurant chain MyLahore.

The idea came about after MyLahore director Ishfaq Farooq was in hospital with his little boy for a minor operation.

He saw a fellow patient being pushed down for surgery in a toy car, but when he asked to use one, he was told there was only one and it was still down at the operating theatre. So Mr Farooq decided to fund six more cars.

“It’s items such as these which have such an amazing impact. It makes hospital less scary for the children because they don’t know what’s happening,” he said. “It’s these little things which make a big difference.”

Two cars have gone to the day case unit at Bradford Royal Infirmary, for children to use when they go to theatre; two have gone to the radiology department for staff to push children to their scans; and two have found a home in the children’s ward, for youngsters receiving in-patient treatment.

Alison Kay, play specialist in the Children and Young People’s Unit at Bradford Royal, said the cars had proved extremely popular among children and parents alike. “We hardly see them in the playroom because they’re always out and about being used,” she added.