We are The Christie magazine July 2025 Staff edition

"I liked it a lot. My favourite ones were 'outer space' and 'under water' because you get to travel around and learn a lot about different things."

Nathan

Helen Hyndman

"Using VR has meant that in some cases patients have been able to have treatment without a general anaesthetic, which is brilliant." Penelope Hart-Spencer, Health Play Specialist

obsessed with the ‘outer space’ video and told everyone he met about the planets and stars he’s learnt about. He started to associate his treatment with a trip to space, and it’s turned something that was frightening for him into something far more positive,” his mum adds. Nathan finished his treatment with no further hiccups and is now back home in Ireland. Of the VR, he said: “I liked it a lot. My favourite ones were outer space' and 'under water' because you get to travel around and learn a lot about different things.” The data that the team are collecting reflects Nathan’s positive experience. Before having treatment, the child chooses from a sliding scale of face emojis, each associated with a word describing how they feel. The first face on the scale represents ‘happy,’ with the last representing ‘scared.’ They then ask again after the procedure and use of the headset and compare the difference.

So far, they have seen a 52% reduction in anxiety for those using the headset. “The headset has really been a game-changer for the children who use it,” says Penelope. “Using VR has meant that in some cases patients have been able to have treatment without a general anaesthetic, which is brilliant. We initially introduced it as a pilot for two years, but it’s been so successful that we know we want to keep using it permanently.” Penelope has been sharing the results of the trial with other health professionals across the NHS and recently presented the VR project at the The European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology conference in Vienna. “You could use VR in other areas of cancer care, not just paediatric oncology. I’m keen to get out there and share our findings and the results we’re seeing because it’s got the potential to help so many people,” she says.

“Once he started using the VR, he scooted down the corridor to treatment, which is just amazing. Gráinne, Nathan's mum

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