New Digital Storytelling Initiative to Transform the Paediatric Experience at Derriford Hospital

Hospital stays can be a source of significant stress and anxiety for children, profoundly affecting their emotional wellbeing and overall recovery. Addressing these psychological stressors is a vital part of providing holistic, patient centred paediatric care. In line with our commitment to leveraging digital innovation, the Smart Ward project is thrilled to announce a pioneering collaboration with Tonies to trial their award winning and much loved digital storytelling solution.

Introducing the Toniebox

The Toniebox is a screen free, interactive audio player designed specifically for children. The system uses collectible figurines, known as ‘Tonies’, which are placed on top of the speaker box to play a wide range of audiobooks, music, and educational content. Its soft, durable design is tumble proof, and the wonderfully intuitive controls make it accessible and easy for children to use independently by tapping the sides to skip chapters or squeezing the ears to adjust volume.

This focus on tactile, screen free engagement offers a truly powerful tool for distraction, comfort, and communication, which research has shown can reduce anxiety and improve the hospital experience for young patients. The robust and easily cleanable design also makes the Toniebox a solution perfectly suited to a busy clinical environment where infection prevention is paramount.

A Phased Trial Across Paediatric Settings

Thanks to the generous support of the supplier, the project will receive 10 Tonieboxes and a curated selection of Tonies free of charge to conduct a formal service evaluation. The trial will be deployed across two distinct paediatric care settings, bringing the magic of storytelling to children across different care journeys:

• Woodcock Ward (Paediatric Inpatient Care, UHPT)

• Children and Young People’s Outpatient Department (UHPT)

The pilot will run for six months, beginning with a three month baseline data collection period, followed by a three month implementation phase. Throughout the trial, we will gather qualitative and quantitative feedback from staff, children, and their families to evaluate the real world impact on patient engagement, emotional wellbeing, and procedural distraction.

This landmark initiative is a no cost, low risk opportunity to trial an evidence informed tool that directly aligns with NHS goals to transform the hospital environment into a more comforting and engaging space for our youngest patients. We are incredibly excited to see the positive impact of this project and look forward to sharing our findings.