When Kelly Murray walks the corridors of Wagga Base Hospital, she is greeted by the sound of excited children.
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As a child life therapist, she has been at the forefront of trials bringing virtual reality technology into paediatrics, a program she describes as "an absolute Godsend".
Along with the hospital's Telehealth team, she accepted the Murrumbidgee Health Award for Innovation on Friday night.
"When a child is going through a procedure that could be painful or will take a long time, it helps to keep them distracted," Ms Kelly said.
"We tried books and iPads, but they lost attention quickly. When you put the [Oculus VR] goggles on, they are immediately immersed in a digital landscape that engages their sensory input and output so they're not focusing on the pain."
The system has been trialled in Melbourne also, but so far Wagga Base is among the first to employ it for the deep burns treatment, skin dressings, and invasive chemotherapy for patients aged six to 17.
"It's been surprising the results, one boy, he's 11, has been getting chemo in Sydney. He actually wants to come to Wagga now for his treatment.
"They see me walking down the hall, and they say 'oh that's the lady with the goggles', they get very excited."
Joining Kelly Murray on Friday night for the annual MLHD award ceremony, was Jackie Brodie, manager of Families NSW Partnerships and Networks.
She was awarded the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Award For her work in facilitating medical clinics for remote communities around the region, in partnership with Royal Far West.
A proud Aboriginal woman herself, Ms Brodie explained that her presence in a clinic can transform the experience for a patient.
"It is extremely important to have a warm, welcoming face there," she said.
"Transport is the biggest issue. We have pregnant mums coming into Wagga or Griffith and they might have a family they're leaving behind and that's always a challenge.
"It's the unknown, what will confront them when they walk through the door? Making it a safe and secure cultural space makes a huge difference."