Meet Hospital Hero finalist Ann

Our Hospital Hero Award recognises a hospital worker who has done something extraordinary or made a real difference to patients’ lives, or their friends or family, and is one of 11 awards to be presented at next month’s Medway Annual Star Awards.

It is a special award to celebrate the outstanding achievements and commitment of hospital staff, with members of the public asked to nominate their Medway Maritime Hospital Hero.

We would like to thank everyone who submitted a nomination to the Kent Messenger, the award sponsors, who have now chosen their five finalists.

Female healthcare worker is standing in a courtyard surrounded by play equipment

Our second finalist is Ann McKinnon, a Play Specialist, who has worked at Medway for 30 years.

Nominated for being a ‘hero’ making children, their siblings and parents feel special when they are at their lowest point, those families now return every Christmas with donations for the children’s ward in gratitude for Ann’s dedication and kindness.

Having initially trained and worked as a nursery nurse, Ann branched out in her career having witnessed her cousin ill in hospital.

She said: “In those days, there wasn’t play for children in hospital and I looked into it and realised you could train to be a play specialist and I’ve been here ever since.

“No day is the same, and that’s what I enjoy about my role. For me, just making children smile and seeing them happy is rewarding.”

Ann’s role sees her support anxious patients by using play as a tool to calm them. She works with young children right up to teenagers, working with them to make them feel comfortable in hospital and helping them reduce their fears.

This can be going into the theatre with them to explain what will happen to them and give reassurance or working with them on phobias such as needles, using water play and painting to help them.

Ann added: “I just love creating an environment where play flows naturally, and I love seeing the patients having fun.

“For me, laughter really is the best medicine.”

Outside her role, Ann organises a yearly family fun day which raises money for the children’s ward through The Medway Hospital Charity and the Evelina London Children’s Charity. It is taking place on Sunday 18 May at Gillingham Football Club and will feature children’s entertainer Mister Maker.

Read Ann’s story on Kent Online to find out why she has been nominated as a Medway Maritime Hospital Hero.

Liz Maclaren was our first finalist showcased last week. Read her story.

Look out for stories about the other three finalists in the Medway Messenger and on Kent Online in the coming weeks.

The winner of the Hospital Hero Award will be announced at our awards ceremony in June.

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