The Paediatric Unit at University Hospital Galway (UHG) have a new way of taking the sting out of things for children with a fear of injections.

The unit recently introduced Smileyscope, a virtual reality headset for children that helps them to relax.

Hospital visits can be a source of anxiety and fear for young patients. Smileyscopes use immersive virtual reality to guide children through calm and engaging visual journeys timed with medical procedures.

The technology is particularly effective in managing needle phobia and injection anxiety, distraction during blood draws and cannulations, and relaxation during imaging procedures or pre-operative care

Smileyscopes can reduce needle pain and anxiety leading to smoother procedures and fewer delays. The tool also supports staff efficiency by reducing the time and resources needed to calm distressed patients.

Michelle Dillon, Clinical Nurse Manager 2, Paediatric Neurodisability in UHG, thanked the Galway Sick Kids Foundation for funding four Smileyscopes at the hospital.

“Since introducing the use of virtual reality into Paediatrics, it has opened up new ways to support and connect with children in our care.

“For children with additional needs, it has been a powerful tool for distraction and comfort, transforming stressful moments into calm, positive experiences. It is changing the way children experience hospital visits and the way we deliver care.”

Sarah Murphy, Clinical Nurse Manager 3, Paediatrics, UHG, said that Smileyscopes helps them to change a child’s focus from fear to fun and amusement.

“The videos are experiences and are geared towards medical procedures specifically. One of the most requested virtual reality experiences by children is the underwater adventure, which features waves washing over the injection site and a fish nibbling on the child’s arm during the injection,” she added.

During her recent experience with the Smileyscope headset, Éabha Sharkey said: “I got to use the Smilescope headset a couple of times, and it was really cool. When I put it on, it felt really comfy and light, like wearing special goggles.

“The pictures and videos it showed were colourful and fun. I could see different smiley faces and fish close up, it made me feel like I was inside a video game.

“The Smilescope headset really helped me and made me feel relaxed when I had my blood taken, it distracted me from the needle and the whole idea of getting my bloods taken, which made it easy to stay calm.”

Parents have also responded with overwhelming positivity. One parent, whose daughter needed to have bloods taken, but who had had many bad experiences and was very nervous, said:

“The staff were fabulous, but I was blown away by how at ease my daughter was when wearing the VR headset. I saw another clearly very very anxious child before her bloods and then she came out beaming after using the headset and was delighted she had her bloods done with such ease. It’s a brilliant addition.”

Victoria Bohan of Galway Sick Kids Foundation said they were delighted to have funded the introduction of Smileyscopes to the paediatric unit.

“Our goal is to support initiatives that make a real difference for children and their families, and this technology does exactly that transforming challenging moments into calmer, more positive experiences. We look forward to seeing the long-term impact for our young patients.”

Pictured: Breda Reilly, Staff Nurse, Paediatrics at UHG and Éabha Sharkey from Tuam using the Smileyscope headset.