For children, a hospital stay can be a daunting experience. At Glasgow Children's Hospital, the UK's first full-time gamer-in-residence is helping sick kids have fun and overcome their fears.
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00:00The feeling of speed, car racing on this game console is the highlight of Ben's long stay in the hospital.
00:08It's just fun gaming. When I get a good unit in one of my games, I feel like I'm achieving. So yeah, but gaming is really fun.
00:17Stephen Mair is a full-time gamer. He comes to the hospital every day to play with patients.
00:23And he knows that 11-year-old Ben especially likes car games.
00:31I've just seen them light up, seen them smile, and they realise this isn't a nurse, this isn't another doctor.
00:38This is someone who's actually here for some fun.
00:41Ben had major stomach surgery and has been in Glasgow's Children's Hospital for several weeks.
00:47Stephen's visits make all the difference, says his dad.
00:51You see when he was playing, his fingers and his toes, they get twitchy. That's when we know he's happy.
00:59He enjoys it.
01:01Medical studies show that video games can help children overcome their fear of operations.
01:07The hospital is planning to expand its Gamer in Residence programme.
01:12Scottish gamers are helping to raise funds.
01:16Andrew Faulkner runs a retro gaming cafe. He's collected donations of over £1,000.
01:24There's lots of different emotions with video games. You have joy, you have frustration, you have completion, you have excitement.
01:31But yeah, at the end of the day, I think playing video games is a release and that's the main thing.
01:38And for kids who are stuck in the hospital for an extended period of time, it's a fantastic way for them to get through that.
01:45For Ben, today's his last game with Stephen. He can finally go home.
01:51It's just such a lovely moment, having this last gaming session and knowing that they're going home and hopefully to carry that passion on when they're at home.
02:01At home, Ben's parents will make sure that Ben doesn't spend too much time in front of the screen.