Background
Portiuncula University Hospital in Ballinasloe, County Galway, introduced Smileyscope VR headsets to its paediatric ward in April 2026, as part of an HSE initiative to improve the hospital experience for children. The deployment addresses needle phobia and procedure-related anxiety during blood tests, cannulation, and vaccinations.
The Technology
Smileyscope is a purpose-built, medical-grade VR headset developed by an Australian company founded in 2019 by two doctors. The device is fully wipeable for acute-care infection control and light enough for children as young as four. The VR experience launches with a single button press and requires no complex setup.
Children are guided through immersive virtual journeys timed to the clinical procedure using a technique called Procedural Choreography. As the needle is inserted, corresponding sensations are reframed in the virtual world, replacing the negative physical sensation with a positive virtual one.
Clinical Evidence and Outcomes
Smileyscope's evidence base spans more than 20 studies including the largest randomised controlled trial in procedural VR care. The device holds FDA, MHRA, TGA, and CE regulatory clearances and has supported more than 400,000 procedures globally.
At Portiuncula, clinical teams report a clear and positive impact: children are visibly calmer during procedures, and the time and staffing resources required to manage distressed patients have decreased. The technology is used across needle phobia, blood draws, cannulation, imaging preparation, and pre-operative care.
Staff and Family Response
Play specialists and nursing staff have welcomed the technology as a complement to child-centred care. The Assistant Director of Nursing for Paediatrics and the Clinical Nurse Manager II, both quoted below, described the headset as transformative. Parent Theresa Hynes, also quoted below, described her two children using the device and noted that both procedures were completed with markedly less distress than previous visits.
