SMUK Robot Trial: Jamie Moon turns heads at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital!

Innovate UK - Creative Industries fund awarded Songbirds Music UK funding for a unique trial in the use of a telepresence robot as an interface for delivering enhanced remote live musical interaction sessions. During February we were able to obtain special permission to take our robot - Jamie Moon - for 2 test visits at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital; a test drive in the play centre and on ward 78. The trial was overseen by Susan Fairclough - Head of Therapeutic and Specialised Play Services, Michelle Rustage - Senior Health Play Specialist and Zoe Shorrock - Play Leader linked to Ward 78 and beautifully documented by Will Hutchby from Medical Illustration and Clinical Photography at RMCH.

The robot caused quite a stir in the hospital, especially going in and out of the lifts and through the trial we were able to get really valuable feedback from children, young people, a parent, play workers, nurses and clinicians. Mark worked remotely from home to ‘drive’ the robot around the clinical spaces, greeting excited staff as he passed by. He first played a special concert to a child in Ward 78 playroom and with mum’s permission we were able to record some of his thoughts about the robot; ‘I loved it – it was relaxing…it will relieve people’s boredom’. Jamie Moon then moved into a bay area to play Happy Birthday to a delighted young person celebrating her 16th birthday. ‘You are so lucky to have your own concert!’ Mum whispered to her daughter. 

Through written questionnaires and verbal interviews conducted during and after the trial, we obtained detailed valuable and individual feedback from children, young people, a parent, play workers, nurses and clinicians. A Senior Health Play Specialist commented: ‘It’s great for patients in isolation rooms to reduce footfall and infection risks.’