Many children are anxious about visiting the hospital or having any intervention. This fear or anxiety can be lessened by gradually introducing them to the aspects of the treatment that they fear. It is especially helpful when this preparation is visual and as close to reality as possible.
Little Journey
We can offer you an interactive app called Little Journey, that will help to show your child’s journey whilst at the MRI department Grimsby, Diana Princess of Wales Hospital. This can support yours and your child’s understanding of what will happen when they come for the MRI scan. At your pre-assessment appointment we can discuss any questions that you/your child may have.
‘Little Journey’ is a smartphone app that provides an interactive tour of the areas your child will visit if they are having a general anaesthetic. This allows your child to take a virtual reality (VR) tour of the department and who they will meet. It is available to download for free on the App Store and Google Play. Once downloaded, you can then search for your hospital or scan this QR code:
How can my child use Little Journey?
Your child can now navigate and explore the pathway they will follow on the day of
their procedure. We advise parents to navigate this first for themselves, so they can
guide and see what they feel is suitable for their child. At each location, you can either
select “2D” – if you are using a smartphone or tablet alone, or “3D” if you have access
to a VR headset.
Your child can then go on a virtual tour and see a 360 degree image of each area
they will be visiting on the day of their procedure- the waiting room, anaesthetic bay
and recovery. While they are exploring each room, an animation will explain to them
what they could see and feel on the day. There is also a “plan” area where your child
can practise breathing exercises to help keep them relaxed on the day and prepare
for the anaesthetic mask. The parents’ section provides many useful preparation tips
too.
To help us improve our services, at the end of your child’s journey into hospital, we
would greatly appreciate if you could complete the relevant short surveys included in
the parents’ section of the app. Thank you.
Contact Us
Pre-assessment Nursing team
Children’s Outpatients
Diana Princess of Wales Hospital
Grimsby Tel: 03033 303057
ny comments, compliments, concerns or complaints
If you have any other concerns please talk to your nurse, therapist or doctor. Our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is available on 03033 306518 (Grimsby, Scunthorpe and Goole). You can also contact [email protected]
As a Trust we value equality of access to our information and services, therefore alternative formats are available on request at [email protected]
NHS Website
NHS website is a health information service. The aim is to support the public to become active consumers of healthcare rather than passive recipients, and to help individuals, their family or carers to make more informed choices: https://www.nhs.uk/
Review information
Date of Issue: December 2025
Review period: December 2027