Medical School students at the University of Limerick today hosted the University’s inaugural Teddy Bear Hospital (TBH) with hundreds of Limerick’s primary school children and their teddy bears. The aim of the event, which has been organised by five current Graduate Entry Medical School (GEMS) students with a particular interest in childhood medicine, is to alleviate childhood anxiety about the medical environment, its procedures and the professionals that work within it.

Over 75 GEMS students took part in the event which saw 10 medical stations set up in the University Arena focusing on activities including: Triage; Stethoscopes; Vital Signs; X-ray; Exercise; Surgery/Gowning; Asthma; Safety; First Aid and Healthy Eating. Speaking from the event UL GEMS student Kira Gullane said “The UL GEMS Teddy Bear Hospital is designed to be an interactive initiative that allows children to experience the atmosphere of a healthcare encounter without being a patient themselves. Primary school students (aged 4-7) bring their teddy bear which then plays the role of the patient for the day. This visit to the Teddy Bear Hospital provides the children with an opportunity to interact with and assist in a range of simulated healthcare settings, while also providing them with an opportunity to ask any questions with respect to healthcare that may concern them in a friendly and fun environment.”

The promotion of a healthy lifestyle and preventative medicine was at the forefront of this educational and fun event. The topics covered included the importance of regular exercise, thorough hand-washing techniques and a healthy diet. It is also hoped that this initiative will strengthen the relationship of UL GEMS and its students and the surrounding community.

Speaking about the inaugural UL Teddy Bear Hospital UL President, Professor Don Barry said “This is the first time that UL has run this event. Bearing in mind the fact that the Graduate Entry Medical School was only recently established and that its students are undertaking a highly intensive medical education programme it is remarkable that this type of initiative has developed so early in the School’s history. It is a testament to the type of student that the Medical School at the University of Limerick attracts.”

The Teddy Bear Hospital at the University of Limerick, which takes place today on Wednesday 27th Feb 2013 at the University Arena is the first of its kind for the Limerick region. This initiative in Limerick was developed by five current, University of Limerick, Graduate Entry Medical School (GEMS) students: Kira Gullane, Jennifer Johnson, Lukas Kieswetter, Niamh Rafter, and Melissa Shack.