A play specialist who has been helping children in hospital for the last 30 years has been recognised for her kind and compassionate care for patients and their families.

Ann McKinnon from Chatham is the latest healthcare worker at Medway Maritime to be shortlisted for the Hospital Hero Award.

With a passion for working with unwell tots, she originally trained as a nursery nurse but branched out after witnessing her cousin poorly as a child.

She said: “In those days, there wasn't play for them [children] in hospital and I looked into it and realised that you can 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, but for me, just making children smile and making them happy is rewarding.”

Ann’s role can be working with babies to those with mental health struggles, or even surgical patients and taking them to theatre.

Her unique position sees her support anxious patients by using play as a tool to calm them.

For example, if a patient is needle-phobic, she will spend time with them using syringes, taking part in water play or painting to reduce that worry.

Ann added: “For many children and young people, the hospital environment can be very daunting.

“They often display anxiety - it's that fear of the unknown.

“They’re scared because they have either heard it from their peer group going, ‘Oh, I've been in hospital and it's like this’ or they've Googled it on their phones, or maybe it's their parents who have had a bad experience from when they were younger and it's sort of rubbed off onto them.

“So, it's my job is to help them overcome that fear, by a lot of good preparation, distraction and by providing that it's given them with a positive outcome.

“By me helping them now, it gives them coping skills and prepares them for adulthood.”

Ann is the latest finalist for the Hospital Hero category of Medway Maritime’s Star Awards, which will take place next month.

The Kent Messenger-sponsored award recognises staff who have gone above and beyond in their duties.

On top of her everyday tasks, Ann holds an annual family fun day to raise funds for the Children’s Ward and the Evelina London Children’s Charity.

This years event will take place on Saturday (May 18) from 10.30am to 5pm at the Priestfield stadium and will feature children’s TV icon Mister Maker.

Speaking on being nominated, she said: “To be a nominee to begin with is just amazing.

“But, to be shortlisted – wow – it's just wonderful.”

She 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.”

Last week, we shared how fellow nominee Elizabeth Maclaren, a paediatric oncology nurse, set up a fundraiser to help support children suffering from cancer, as well as their families.

We will be publishing details of the other nominees over the next weeks.

The winner will be announced at a special ceremony on June 12.