Complementary therapy continues

With your help, we're now able to carry on supporting Ginny McGivern, as she provides complementary therapy services to young patients within the NUH Trust

Some of the treatments that children and young people undergo can be painful and distressing – and that's where Ginny comes in, using treatments including therapeutic massage and aromatherapy to relieve pain and encourage relaxation.

Working with acute patients up to the age of 18, Ginny is a complementary therapy nurse specialist. She works alongside physiotherapists and occupational therapists to rehabilitate children and young people, offering them a sanctuary away from their medical treatment.

"Almost everyone the children see at hospital is asking something of them – 'lift your arm', 'tell me how you're feeling'" explains Ginny. "But when they come to see me it's different. I give them an hour of quiet time, when they're the boss."

Janette Ritchie's daughter Grace has visited QMC on numerous occasions over the last few years to get treatment for her brain tumour – and the more she visited, the less positive she felt. Over time, she came to dread each visit. But after she started seeing Ginny, that began to change.

"Ginny's helped Grace to develop a more balanced approach," says Janette. "Grace knows she can come to see Ginny after any of her treatments, and she doesn't dread it like she used to."

If you'd like to support Ginny's work, just donate here, and enter 'complementary therapy for children' as the area you wish to support. If you'd like to find out more about the service, you can call Ginny on 0115 9249924 (ext 67701) or email virginia.mcgivern@nuh.nhs.uk