A new app designed to help children overcome nerves and build their confidence before surgery is being rolled out at University Hospitals Sussex.
Before their operation, young patients and their families can now take a virtual walk through the hospital from the comfort of their home using the Little Journey app.
The app prepares children for their visit by guiding them step by step through the areas they will see and the people they will meet along the way, helping to ease fear and anxiety.
Tailored specifically for St Richard’s and Worthing hospitals, the app uses real photos of the sites to help children become familiar with the surroundings. They can explore the ward in which they will stay, see some of the equipment which will be used to care for them and learn more about what to expect throughout their surgical journey.
Parents Drew and Charlie found preparing their six-year-old daughter Lottie for surgery much easier with the support of the app.
Mum Drew said: “We found the app really helpful. It enabled Lottie to know what to expect from being in hospital rather than picturing it herself and she enjoyed the animated characters.
“Because she had followed the tour of her journey, she knew the order of things and what it would look like. It was all familiar and it helped to make her feel less anxious.”
For children and young people who are neurodivergent, the virtual walkthrough offers a valuable way to prepare for their visit. By showing them what will happen in advance, it helps reduce anxiety and ease sensory or emotional distress, making the hospital experience feel less overwhelming.
Beyond the virtual tour, Little Journey offers practical tools including packing checklists, relaxation guides, and fun distraction games, all designed to make the surgical journey less daunting.
Kate Hawley, Paediatric Ambulatory Care Manager, played a key role in introducing this app into the children’s surgical pathway. She said: “I’m thrilled that our children and young people now have a modern, accessible platform to help them prepare for their hospital stay. I can see how it’s supporting families to have those often-difficult conversations before coming to hospital, and it’s helping young people mentally prepare and build resilience during what can be an understandably stressful time.
“Parents have already told us how valuable they find it, and I can see the positive impact it is having.”
The app was created by Dr Chris Evans, an anaesthetic doctor, as part of his PhD at University College London and is now used by more than 50 NHS trusts.
Its introduction at University Hospitals Sussex has been kindly funded by Rockinghorse Children’s Charity, who fund and deliver life-saving equipment, specialist projects and enhanced services for sick babies, children and young people throughout Sussex.
Plans are already underway to expand the app’s use to the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital and for it to cover other procedures such as blood tests and scans.
The app is free to download from the Apple Store or Google Play.