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A host of much-loved teddy bears got stitched up and received some tender medical care at 51����’s Teddy Bear Hospital.

Almost 900 children from across Limerick, Clare and Tipperary brought their favourite teddies for a check-up at UL’s annual Teddy Bear Hospital. 

Organised by students of UL’s School of Medicine, the Teddy Bear Hospital offers children typically aged between four and six the chance to engage with medical students in a fun setting aimed at alleviating childhood anxiety about medical environments. 

Each child brought their own teddy bear who acted as the ‘patient’, and the medical student volunteers acted as the teddy’s doctors. The children passed through a variety of themed stations, each designed to make healthcare more approachable.

The event provides a unique way for children to experience the atmosphere at a hospital or healthcare setting without being patients themselves.

The children got a chance to take blood pressure and use stethoscopes at the Vital Signs Station, learned proper handwashing at the Hand Hygiene Station, basic wound care at the First Aid Station and ‘scan’ their teddies for broken bones at the X-ray Station. At the pharmacy station, the children got to fill “paw-scriptions” with coloured balls instead of medicine, bringing a playful twist to the process.

One of the standout attractions was the ambulance station run by students from UL’s Paramedic Studies programme, where the children got a tour inside the vehicle and saw things from the perspective of the emergency responders.

UL Sports Scholars and Munster Rugby players Ruadhán Quinn and Tony Butler, alongside Ireland Rugby 7s player Laoise McGonagle, made a special appearance at the Nutrition and Exercise Station to explore the importance of healthy lifestyle, nutrition and physical activity. 

This year’s event took place at the UL Sports Arena and was run by 200 volunteers consisting of students and tutors from UL’s graduate entry medical programme and paramedic studies programmes.

“Our goal is to create an environment where children can learn about healthcare in a way that’s fun, engaging, and stress-free,” said Mathew Favrin, second year medical student at UL.

“We could see the excitement grow as we guided the groups of children through the stations and engaged with different activities. Many children started out a little shy, but by the end, they were confidently using stethoscopes and learning all about their health.” 

Classmate Arda Brahaj highlighted the importance of familiarising children with medical settings at a young age. 

“Many children, especially those who’ve had limited exposure to healthcare due to COVID, often feel anxious about visiting the doctor,” Arda explained. 

“By introducing medical concepts at a young age, we help demystify healthcare and reduce that fear, making it a more approachable experience in the future.” 

Dr Louise Crowley, Associate Professor in Clinical Skills and Head of 51���� Studies at UL’s School of Medicine, praised the event’s growth and impact on both the children and medical students.

“Each year, our students try to broaden the reach of the Teddy Bear Hospital to different schools in the community and in doing so, they foster wonderful and powerful links with teachers and children in the community.

“Our students demonstrate great leadership in fundraising, coordinating and promoting the event. They also have to hone their communication skills when dealing with staff and teachers at the many schools that Teddy Bear Hospital welcomes. 

“The event also helps our medical students to develop empathy and compassion, in addition to helping their confidence for when they will interact with children as patients. All of these skills are key skills for future doctors.”

Among the schools in attendance were Our Lady of Lourdes National School, Salesian Primary School, Gaelscoil Chaladh an Treoigh, St Brigid’s National School, Presentation Primary School, Corpus Christi School, Kilfinane National School, Scoil Íosagáin Hospital, and Milford National School from Limerick, along with Scoil Seanáin Noafa, Clonlara, Co Clare and Nenagh Community National School, Co Tipperary.