Horne launches Taskmaster Hospital Club for children

A health trust in the south east of England is believed to be the first in the country to launch the Taskmaster Hospital Club, a new NHS project designed to help children during hospital stays.

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust said the club brings the concept of the award-winning show Channel 4 TV show to paediatric wards, allowing children to take part in fun challenges.

Taskmaster creator Alex Horne visited Frimley Park hospital, near Camberley, to launch the project and chat to families.

Following the visit, he said: "I'm incredibly proud that we can help provide some fun distraction."

On the comedy panel game show, the Taskmaster issues simple, comedic and bizarre tasks to five regular contestants - usually comedians.

When Horne visited the hospital, the trust said about a dozen children aged between nine and 16 took part in various tasks, from making up the best jokes to drawing pictures without lifting the pencil off the paper.

The participants were awarded points for their efforts and the overall winner was presented with a specially-designed Taskmaster certificate.

Katie Wilson, interim head of nursing for babies, children and young people at the trust, said it had received "amazing feedback from everyone who took part".

"From the moment we first discussed bringing Taskmaster to our children's wards, we knew it had the potential to be something truly special," Wilson said.

"Hospital can be a daunting place for young people, and this project offers a fun, uplifting distraction during what can be a difficult time."

The pilot at Frimley Park Hospital was created in partnership with Taskmaster Education, Avalon and NHS England.

Ellen Duke, national deputy director for children and young people's nursing at NHS England, said: "The motivation came from the results of a patient survey where some children and young people told us there isn't enough to do when they're in hospital."

The pilot has helped shape a national roll-out, the trust said, and the Taskmaster Hospital Club will soon be available to children's wards across England.

The package is made up of a video and written resource that can be picked up and delivered by staff without additional training, it added.

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