Thoughtful preparation eased surgery for autistic patient at Kettering General Hospital
A Kettering family has publicly commended a play specialist at Kettering General Hospital after the bespoke support she provided helped their autistic son through dental surgery with less distress than they had feared. The family said the work of the hospital’s play team, led by Play Specialist Co-ordinator Claire Green, made the procedure more predictable and manageable for 14-year-old Dylan Hampton.
The measures taken were intended to reduce uncertainty for Dylan, who — like many autistic people — can find changes to routine, unfamiliar environments and new people overwhelming. Green spent time understanding Dylan’s individual communication, sensory and emotional needs, and worked to ensure those needs were known to everyone involved in his care.
- Personalised visual social story provided in advance to prepare Dylan.
- Introduction to some medical equipment in a controlled setting prior to surgery.
- Ongoing contact with the family to share information and monitor Dylan’s place on the theatre list.
Green emphasised the importance of clear, ongoing communication between the hospital and the family. In remarks supplied by the hospital, she said:
"Communication was key. I stayed in regular contact with Dylan’s mum by phone and email. Providing a visual social story in advance which talked about the ward and the surgery allowed Dylan to prepare and ask questions in his own time."
She added that understanding Dylan’s unique needs and ensuring his voice was heard enabled the team to make adaptations during his stay. That included recognising shifts in his body language and pausing to allow him time to process information before he became overwhelmed.
The family reported tangible benefits from those adjustments. Dylan’s mother, Rosie Hampton, described the play specialist as "an absolute angel" who consistently went above and beyond at a profoundly anxious time for the family. She said the team’s approach — including the preparation of a hospital passport and sharing it with the wider team — meant Dylan felt calmer, better informed and more in control.
| Element | Action taken |
|---|---|
| Preparation | Personalised visual social story; advance explanations |
| Familiarisation | Safe introduction to equipment |
| Family contact | Regular phone and email updates; theatre list monitoring |
The account also highlights a broader role played by hospital play specialists in supporting patients with additional needs. Such staff work to create predictability, reduce sensory overload and ensure that clinical teams receive clear, practical information about a patient’s preferences and triggers.
Kettering General Hospital has recognised Green’s work: she is pictured with a UHN Star Award in materials provided by the trust. The family’s testimony underlines how small, tailored adjustments in a hospital setting can substantially reduce distress for autistic patients and their relatives at a time that can be daunting for all involved.
For local families who face similar challenges, the case offers practical examples of adjustments they might discuss with hospital staff ahead of planned procedures — from visual guides and familiarisation sessions to a hospital passport and clear lines of communication.
The hamptons’ account also serves as a reminder to local healthcare providers of the value of personalised, patient-centred approaches. In a community the size of Kettering, stories of positive, adaptive care at the town’s hospital are likely to resonate with many residents who depend on NHS services.
