PLAY. We all do it: wordplay, love play, role-play; we play cards, play sport, play the fool, and play around. And that s just the grown-ups It features in every aspect of our lives, whether we call it by that or another name. We all do it, but why do we do it? What does it mean to play and what, if any, difference does it make to our lives? Most crucially, and central to the theme of this book, is the question, Does play have a positive impact on our health and wellbeing, and consequently a role in modern healthcare delivery?

The contributors to this book provide a comprehensive...