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Play in healthcare at The Royal London Hospital is getting national recognition thanks to Alison Klufio, matron for integrated paediatrics, who has been named winner of Starlight’s Protector of Play Award 2026.   

The award recognises Alison’s commitment to making play, emotional wellbeing and psychological safety a central part of children’s care, helping young patients feel safer, more supported and more in control during their hospital experience.  

Alison’s work has been featured by the BBC this week, with filming taking place at The Royal London Hospital alongside patients and their families to showcase the important role play can have in children’s healthcare.  

Alison was nominated by health play specialist and colleague, Katie Friend, after transforming a suggestion for trauma-informed procedural care training into mandatory learning for nurses, nurse practitioners and healthcare assistants across paediatric wards and clinics. Trauma-informed care aims to minimise physical and emotional distress by prioritising psychological safety, clear communication and patient control. 

Alison’s leadership has helped embed these approaches across services while championing the expertise and voice of health play specialists within multidisciplinary teams.  

Alison said:  

“I want to see play at the forefront - as the foundation and the backbone of every child and young person’s hospital stay. The child in the middle and play around them. Protecting play, to me, is about all of us, across every staff group, not just play specialists.”  

Speaking about winning the award, Alison added:  

“I was gobsmacked - I’m still as shocked today as I was when I first heard the news, because I really wasn’t expecting anything like this at all." 

Looking ahead, she hopes the conversation around play will continue to grow. 

"We'll get there - this award alone has already got the whole hospital talking and asking themselves whether they're really protecting play." 

Cathy Gilman, Starlight’s CEO, said: 

“Alison embodies exactly what it means to be a Protector of Play. Her leadership demonstrates that play is not an optional extra in children’s healthcare, but an essential part of helping children feel safe, understood and supported through treatment. 

“As well as championing health play specialists, she is helping to change the culture of children’s healthcare. We are delighted to recognise her contribution with Starlight’s Protector of Play Award 2026.” 

Congratulations to Alison on this fantastic achievement, and thank you to all our colleagues who help create positive, supportive experiences for children and young people across our hospitals.  

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