Flinders’ young patients now have a welcome distraction from medical appointments thanks to a new interactive projector gaming console.

A generous grant to Flinders Foundation from children’s charity Cops for Kids purchased the projector for the Paediatric Outpatient Clinic waiting room at Flinders Medical Centre.

Fitted to the ceiling, it projects games onto the floor and is suitable for all ages, with games to suit crawling babies, through to more advanced games like ice hockey for older children.

Maddie Stanborough, Paediatric Unit Acting Nurse Unit Manager, says the gaming console has been a “game-changer”.

“The paediatric clinics at Flinders are incredibly busy and we see children of all ages, often with complex medical issues which take time for our specialists to carefully assess,” Maddie explains.

“Families regularly spend time in the waiting area during their visits and, as all parents know, it can be challenging to keep children entertained especially in a hospital environment.

“The projector is fun and interactive, and kids are just drawn to it - they have such a good time they forget they’re in a hospital.”

During the height of the Covid-19 outbreak, toys were removed from waiting areas, but the projector is able to provide kids with fun and entertainment while limiting the risk of spread of infections.

“The gaming console is contact-free and is a great way of keeping kids entertained in a safe way,” Maddie says.

“It’s been a big hit and we are so grateful to Cops for Kids and Flinders Foundation for making this possible.”

Cops for Kids is a registered children’s charity helping sick and underprivileged children and is run by a dedicated group of current and former South Australia Police (SAPOL) employees from metropolitan and country areas.

Cops for Kids Chairman, Drew Bynoe, said the organisation wanted to make it easier for sick children to receive treatment at Flinders.

“It’s fantastic to see young patients and their families enjoying the projector gaming console,” Drew said.

“The games are interactive and colourful and really brighten up what can be a sterile environment.

“We are really pleased to support this initiative and bring a smile to the faces of kids at Flinders.”

Young patient Django (pictured) was among the first to try out some of the projector’s games.