Teddy Bear Hospital

What?

The Teddy Bear Hospital is a public health project for 3-7 year olds. It offers the opportunity for one-to-one consultations with children, increasing confidence for students, whilst reducing childhood anxiety about hospitals and doctors, and promoting child health.

Why?

Approximately 21% of the UK's population is aged under 16. The average 4 year old attends 6 GP consultations per year, and 0-4 year olds make up 15% of attendees at A&E. As students and as doctors, the chance of clinical contact with children is increasing annually.

How?

Students deliver workshops on health-related topics, such as healthy eating, road safety and using our senses. Children then take part in one-to-one consultations with a Teddy Bear Doctor Above all, the Teddy Bear Hospital is a fun way to get children thinking about health.

And...

Teddy Bear Hospital is an official transnational project of the IFMSA, with projects running in Germany, Austria, Japan and the USA. Also, some of the Teddy Bear Hospitals in the UK are run by EMSA the European Medical Students' Association.

What do I do?

For more information about the Teddy Bear Hospital or resources for setting up a branch in your university, contact Daniel Haghani, the national coordinator or have a look at Warwick's, Leicester's, UCL's and GKT's websites