For children spending the holidays at Regina General Hospital, the acute pediatric unit has undergone a remarkable transformation, resembling a festive workshop straight from the North Pole. Staff members have dedicated themselves to weaving Christmas magic into the clinical environment, aiming to bring comfort and joy to young patients during a challenging time.
Creating Comfort Through Personalized Festive Cheer
Walking through the inpatient ward, the path is now guided by handrails adorned with stockings and shimmering tinsel garlands, leading to approximately 30 patient rooms. The effort is a heartfelt mission for the hospital's Child Life Specialists (CLS), who work closely with children ranging from infants to 16-year-olds.
"Every day in the hospital is hard," explains Tegan Webber, a Child Life Specialist in the acute pediatric department. "Once you get to know the kids a little bit you can get to know maybe what are their favourite things and how can we incorporate that into their stay."
This philosophy extends beyond decorations. In the pediatric oncology unit for outpatients, CLS Jill Woods has curated a Candyland theme. The goal is universal: to inject special moments into difficult circumstances. "It's nice to be able to do things like that for them and inject some special moments into difficult circumstances," Woods says.
Strategic Play Builds Trust for Medical Procedures
The whimsical environment serves a dual purpose. It is strategically designed to strengthen bonds between staff and their young patients, making children feel more at ease before facing challenging medical procedures. Whether a child is admitted due to an accident, chronic illness, or a fever—with stays lasting from a few hours to two months—building trust is paramount.
"It helps them to be more comfortable," notes Woods. "And when we have to do difficult things, the people in the room are doing the difficult things with you. You trust them."
Scheduled playtime is a critical tool. During these sessions, specialists like Webber engage children in activities where they often reveal fears related to their illness or upcoming treatments. Webber then finds child-friendly ways to demystify medical tools, such as using syringes for paint to make them appear less intimidating.
A Dedicated Space for Joy and Distraction
Central to this effort is the unit's dedicated playroom, also decked out for the holidays. It is stocked with toys, puzzles, games, art supplies, and a television for movies and video games. If a specialist learns a patient enjoys a particular card game, they might organize a tournament or even bring the game from home on their next shift.
The holiday magic culminated in a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus on December 22, 2025. This commitment to creating normalcy and joy reflects a broader practice seen in pediatric units across Saskatchewan, including Saskatoon's Jim Pattison Children's Hospital, where staff use every tool—especially games—to connect with children.
Through festive decorations, personalized attention, and strategic play, the team at Regina General Hospital is ensuring that the spirit of the season reaches every child, proving that even within a hospital's walls, the warmth and magic of the holidays can flourish.
