Jessica is the latest member of Harvey’s Gang

A schoolgirl became an honorary biomedical scientist for the day to help ease her fears about hospital treatment.

Jessica Stamp, eight, was given a tour of the laboratory at the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate, and was able to look at blood films through a microscope and see the analysers used to test samples.

The visit was arranged as part of the Harvey’s Gang initiative, set up in memory of a young boy with leukaemia who wanted to know more about what happened to his blood samples. Jessica, from Herne Bay, was referred by Jayne McCreadie, a play specialist at QEQM, who has been working with her to tackle her anxieties around hospital.

Mum Katie said: “Jessica has a long-term condition and has had to have quite a few procedures but has become quite scared about anything clinical.

 “She is under the team at East Kent Hospitals and the Evalina Children’s Hospital, who suggested play therapy might help.

“Jayne has been fantastic and thought the Harvey’s Gang visit would help to demystify clinical processes and she absolutely loved it.

“Everyone was so friendly and welcoming and really took the time to explain what happens, and she was so excited to be given her own lab coat and goody bag.”

Jessica has to take antibiotics daily to ward off infections and needs an operation that she has previously been too frightened to have, so the team hope the visit will make her feel more comfortable in a hospital environment.

Katie said: “Jessica hasn’t stopped talking about her visit and was so proud to take her lab coat and lanyard into school.

“It was a fantastic opportunity for her and we are very grateful to everyone who helped make it possible.”

Lisa March, lead blood transfusion practitioner and phlebotomy lead, said: “Laboratory tours offer a great experience for young patients to help them understand what happens to their blood samples.

“It gives them the opportunity to meet the teams within pathology and find out a bit more about their work, and the staff always enjoy welcoming young visitors for a tour.

“We all hope the visit will reassure Jessica about what goes on in hospitals, and wish her all the best for her future treatment.”