Children coming to Milton Keynes University Hospital for elective surgery and MRI scans are now benefiting from the Little Journey app, thanks to funding from Milton Keynes Hospital Charity.
The award-winning digital platform has been introduced to help young patients and their families prepare for hospital visits in a fun, interactive and engaging way, making the experience less daunting and helping to reduce anxiety before procedures.
The project was developed by a passionate team of doctors and nurses from Children’s Services, who wanted to build on the success of the hospital’s existing ‘All About Me’ pathway and bring all pre-procedure information together in one easy-to-access place.
The app includes virtual hospital tours, helpful videos, age-appropriate information, relaxation tools and games designed to help children understand what to expect during their visit. Families can access practical advice on topics such as what to bring to hospital, fasting before surgery and how best to prepare a child for their procedure.
Patients can even follow their journey through the hospital before they arrive, viewing photographs and information from the hospital entrance right through to the end of their stay.
By helping children feel more informed and prepared, the app aims to reduce anxiety and improve the overall hospital experience for both patients and their families.
The feedback from families has already been overwhelmingly positive.
One parent told staff:
“The app was really good; it really helped ease anxiety around the procedure. My daughter enjoyed using the app so much that she continued to play on it after the procedure, taking advantage of the games.”
Another family shared:
“The hospital tour gave a really nice soft presentation of what to expect which was very helpful for my child. They eagerly looked for each section of the tour before surgery. It was a gentle introduction of what to expect.”
Perhaps the most powerful feedback came from a parent who said:
“The app meant my child was excited about the visit today and had no anxiety at all.”
Milton Keynes Hospital Charity is proud to have funded the Little Journey app, helping to improve the experience of young patients and their families at what can often be an anxious time.
Every donation made to Milton Keynes Hospital Charity helps fund projects like this that go beyond NHS funding, supporting innovative ways to enhance patient care, comfort and wellbeing across the hospital.
Find out more about how your support is making a difference at Milton Keynes University Hospital by exploring our latest impact stories. 💚
