A Little Deep Sleep - Animation to ease children's anxiety before General Anaesthetic/operation

‘A Little Deep Sleep’ was developed by anaesthetists after holding a survey to find parent and child’s concerns about general anaesthetics. The film was made to address these concerns, showing what happens before, during and after a general anaesthetic in day case surgery.

The film is a collaboration between Anaesthetists, Dr Judith Nolan and Dr Anthony Bradley at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, and ForMed Films CIC, funded by The Grand Appeal Charity.

Using real sounds recorded in the hospital, illustrations developed from hospital visits, real patient voices recorded before and after a GA, alongside a scripted narrative, the resulting film is accurate, relatable and reassuring.

Feedback

"I just watched 'a little deep sleep' twice (!) with my son, who is 6 and is having a little op on Friday. It was hugely helpful to him to watch. He's very anxious about the general anaesthetic and the film really helped answer questions and put him mind at rest." (Parent)

“Patients and Parents have regularly and reliably told us how useful they found the film. It seems to have picked up on their concerns and gives them assurance that their children are in safe hands.”(Dr Anthony Bradley, Consultant Anaesthetist)

‘With a small sample of paediatric day surgery cases (12 controls and 12 who were shown the video). We showed a 40% reduction in anxiety on arrival in theatre shown by use of the modified Yale preoperative anxiety scale.’ (Gregory Nussbaum, quality improvement project at Poole hospital)

ForMed Films is a not-for-profit, making animated films in collaboration with patients, charities and health professionals to help people talk about and understand medical and health issues. www.formedfilms.co.uk