Children attending Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) for MRI and CT scans are benefiting from a new, charity-funded “Kitten Scanner” helping to reduce anxiety, improve experiences and, in some cases, avoid the need for a general anaesthetic.
Funded by Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity at a cost of £18,000, the innovative preparation resource includes three character toys, a chicken, an elephant and a crocodile, designed to guide young patients aged four to seven, and their parents, through what to expect during their scan.
Children can place the toy characters into a miniature scanner to explore what will happen before their own procedure, while a built-in screen plays a fun, engaging animation that introduces the sounds and process in a child-friendly way.
The playful approach allows Play Specialists to demonstrate the scanning process in a child-friendly way, helping both children and their parents feel more informed and reassured before their appointment.
As well as improving patient experience, the initiative also has clear clinical and financial benefits. By helping children stay calm and still during procedures, it can reduce the need for general anaesthetic – with each avoided case saving approximately £1,000. Avoiding a general anaesthetic also benefits children directly, reducing potential side effects and risks, shortening recovery time, and enabling them to return more quickly to normal activities.
Deborah Charles, Play Specialist at RCHT, said: “For many young children, hospital scans can feel overwhelming and frightening. The Kitten Scanner gives us a simple but effective way to explain what will happen using play, which is how children best understand the world. We’ve already seen such a positive difference, children feel more relaxed, parents feel reassured, and it helps us carry out scans more smoothly and safely.”
“Importantly, if a child can go through their scan without needing a general anaesthetic, it’s not only better for them, reducing recovery time and avoiding unnecessary risks, but it also allows us to use our resources more efficiently. We’re incredibly grateful to RCHT Charity for making this possible.”
The Kitten Scanner is just one example of how charitable funding is making a difference across the Trust, supporting both patient care and staff in delivering the best possible experience.
The Kitten Scanner was funded through the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity Elevate Funding Round, a programme designed to support ideas that make a tangible difference to patient care. Through the scheme, £60,000 was awarded to departments across the Trust to help bring these impactful projects to life.
