10th Annual Teddy Bear Hospital Presentation to Paediatric Department UHG

The Paediatric department at University Hospital Galway were presented with a cheque for €3,000 from the Sláinte Society at NUI Galway, who organise the annual ‘Teddy Bear Hospital’ which took place in NUI Galway on the 22nd and 23rd of January 2015.

NUI Galway’s first Teddy Bear Hospital was first organised by medical students of NUI Galway in January 2006. Over the years, Teddy Bear Hospital has grown and this year has been one of their biggest event yet with over 1,500 children in attendance. The fun-filled event is one of the highlights of the society’s annual calendar by both the children and the volunteers.

The Teddy Bear Hospital’s aim is to create a fun and trustworthy environment where children can become familiar with the medical environment and comfortable interacting with healthcare providers. Their goal is to ease the anxiety and fear that many children feel when visiting the doctor or hospital. The event also provides a great opportunity for medical and nursing students to improve their paediatric skills.

During the two days in January of this year, teddy bears from over 22 schools in the west of Ireland were given a full check-up. The children and their bears first arrived at the ‘waiting room’ area, where they were greeted by jugglers and face painters. The children were then seen by the teddy doctors and nurses, who assess the hundreds of teddy bears with their young owners. All the essential treatments and devices were on hand for any sick teddies, such as stethoscopes, mini MRI scanners and X-ray machines. Speaking at the cheque presentation, second year medical Student Katie Lynam said that “We are delighted to present this cheque on behalf of Slainte Society at NUIG. Thanks to our generous Teddy Bear Hospital sponsors and a hugely successful student fundraiser, we decided to continue to support the children of Galway by donating to the Paediatric unit at UHG.” At the presentation, GUH Clinical Nurse Manager Amanda Peoples expressed her gratitude on behalf of her colleagues and management at University Hospital Galway to all involved and the fantastic work carried out by the students of NUI Galway who put this event together every year.

 
Pictured in the Photograph:
Mujtaba Muhammad Naseem and her son
Katie Lynam (Sláinte Society NUI Galway)
Fiona Mulligan (Sláinte Society NUI Galway)
Amanda Peoples (Clinical Nurse Manager Paeds UHG)