As a lone HPS working in relative isolation (a two hour drive from
the nearest other colleague!) I've had to do things my own way over
the past 7 years that I've been in post. Apart from a couple of
conferences and occasional meetings with other HPS staff I've been
going it alone. I've also had to work out the best way for me to do
the job as a male HPS - I've gradually come to realise that it is no
use just copying the approach of female HPS & nursing staff that I
work with; as a male there will be differences in the way that I deal
with situations, just as a father needs to interact with his children
in different ways to a mother.

My main problem with the role of HPS staff generally, is that even
with professional qualifications, courses and training the role still
seems too 'vague', and as a male trying to push my role further I
still find that Hospital Play Specialism is still not regarded as
a 'proper' profession by many other professionals. And the trouble
is, I think that it is partly our fault. For some years I have felt
that there was a lack of structure in the HPS role, with the need for
more formalisation, documentation and planning just as you would
expect in a profession such as teaching. Hospital Playspecialism
seems far too 'cosy' to me a lot of the time, with HPS staff far too
afraid to stand up alongside other more established therapies. We all
know how much play has to offer, but I feel we need a far more
dynamic and even forceful approach to help ourselves. Perhaps we
should spend less time promoting the importance of play (which is
undisputable) and spend more time promoting the importance of the HPS
in facilitating that play, and how important that role is.

Many HPS staff seem to want to be seen as professionals, but also
seem wary of going down this path. Perhaps it is just a male
perspective, but I feel we need to push the professional side of our
role much, much more if we are to go forward, secure and hold our
place alongside other professions in the NHS.

This post may be a bit controversial and cause a bit of debate - I
hope! It's what forums like this should be about!

Cheers all....


Paul Harries