Great Ormond Street Hospital is seeking to hire a Gamer in Residence

Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) is on the hunt for a Gamer in Residence, a role aimed at enhancing care for young patients through the medium of video games. This full-time, permanent position is intended to integrate gaming as a therapeutic tool within the GOSH Play team, which has over 50 practitioners specializing in therapeutic play, ensuring all young patients can engage in gaming activities.

Applications for the position are open until December 1, 2025. According to a statement from the GOSH Charity to GamesIndustry.biz, the growing interest in gaming among adolescents at GOSH necessitated this role. The Gamer in Residence is expected to manage multiple gaming devices and keep updated with the latest trends.

Recently, GOSH collaborated with YouTube influencer Daneil "DanTDM" Middleton, whose contributions facilitated the acquisition of 120 medical grade gaming carts, making gaming accessible while adhering to strict infection protocols.

Following the pioneering effort by the Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity, alongside Devolver Digital and Neonhive, which established the first full-time Gamer in Residence position in the UK and Ireland last year, GOSH aims to follow suit. This initiative was driven by studies highlighting gaming's therapeutic benefits for young patients.

The GOSH Charity elaborates that gaming can significantly reduce anxiety, offer comfort, relieve boredom, and foster a home-like connection within the hospital setting. It is also noted to help in managing pain perception at the brain level, particularly beneficial for those dealing with chronic pain.

The introduction of this role is further supported by feedback from the hospital community, emphasizing its potential impact in enhancing the hospital stay experience for children dealing with serious health challenges.