Principle 9: Protection From Distressing Sights, Sounds, Activities & Experiences

Introduction

The following is one of a group of principles which recognise the particular needs of tamariki and rangatahi receiving health and disability support services. The principles describe what should be provided when your child or young person receives those services.

The principles are based on expert opinion and a considerable body of literature in Aotearoa New Zealand and overseas and they have been developed after wide consultation.

See a listing of 14 principles guiding provision of health and disability services

Protection from distressing sights, sounds, activities and experiences

Principle: Tamariki (children) and rangatahi (young people) should be protected from physical and emotional pain, trauma and distress.

Healthcare and disability support providers should take all steps to minimise physical and emotional pain, trauma and distress.

Tamariki and rangatahi are exposed to many unfamiliar and distressing sights and sounds when they are in health and disability settings. Coping with these and with the experience of being sick or disabled is very stressful for them.

See the KidsHealth section on coping with treatment and hospital for more information.

You can expect

You can expect that health providers will make every effort to minimise these traumas and protect your child or young person from them as far as possible.

Specifically, you can expect that:

• all invasive procedures will be accompanied by adequate pain management - sometimes this might be an anaesthetic
• there will be appropriate explanations of procedures
• there will be appropriate psychological preparation and support from nursing and medical staff - many hospitals have play specialists who should be involved in preparing your child for procedures 
• your child will be protected from distressing sights, sounds, activities and experiences, including inappropriate television and radio
• appointments are appropriately arranged and waiting rooms are appropriate for your child
• your child is not subjected to unnecessary repeat investigations and treatments
• painful and invasive treatments are carried out in the treatment room
• if your child is in hospital, their bed is 'safe' (that means free from painful treatments)
• there is protection from noisy patients and disturbances in hospital

You may ask

• is clinical equipment hidden from sight?
• is my child encouraged to have familiar and favourite items from home?
• is our family encouraged and supported to be with our child?
• are procedures arranged for a time when a whānau member can be with our child or young person?
• are procedures and tests coordinated appropriately?
• if your child or young person is in hospital or other residential healthcare facility, do they have accommodation separate from adults?
• if your child is in hospital, is there a playroom available for them to use?