Inspiring our future clinicians – through teddies!

Date: 15 January 2019

TeddyBearHospital

Staff were delighted to welcome local primary school children to the Trust in September for the launch of Medway’s ‘Teddy Bear Hospital’.

Devised by the Trust’s Community Engagement and Medical Education teams, the Teddy Bear Hospital gives children the chance to learn how the hospital works through play.

Twenty-eight eager pupils – along with their poorly teddy bears – were given a tour of a mock hospital made up of a ward, theatre, GP surgery, and an impressive mini model MRI scanner, which was specially built for the event so that the teddies could be scanned and results examined.

The children also dressed up in gowns, masks and gloves to become mini doctors, before they observed demonstrations on administering oxygen, taking blood pressure, and chest examinations using a stethoscope.

The event, overseen by Consultant Anaesthetist and Simulation Lead Dr Manisha Shah and Clinical Simulation Operational Manager Gemma Wrighton, was a great success with positive feedback from everyone involved.

Dr Shah said: “Being in an unfamiliar place can lead to anxiety which can cause health and behavioural problems. We tried to make it as authentic as possible.”

Gemma Wrighton said: “Some of the children were very nervous and shy at first. They cannot remember ever being in a hospital. One little boy asked what he had to do to become a doctor.

“It’s the first time we have done this at Medway and we are definitely looking to do it again!”

Contact Gemma Wrighton (gemma.wrighton@nhs.net) or Community Engagement Officer Bobbie Walkem-Smith (Bobbie.Walkem-Smith@nhs.net / 07852 714954) for details of future events.

  • Summary:

    Staff were delighted to welcome local primary school children to the Trust in September for the launch of Medway’s ‘Teddy Bear Hospital’.