Bearing up well after medical help

Amelia Munro (5) and her bear Toothless chat to medical student Grace Chignell (19) at the Teddy...
Amelia Munro (5) and her bear Toothless chat to medical student Grace Chignell (19) at the Teddy Bear Hospital on Saturday. Photo by Gregor Richardson.
Accustomed to regular check-ups at home, Toothless the teddy bear did not find a visit to hospital on Saturday too daunting.

His owner Amelia Munro (5) was one of more than 100 children who attended the Teddy Bear Hospital in the Hunter Centre in Dunedin, which gives medical and dental students a chance to interact with children.

Her mother, Taeo, said Amelia liked to play "doctor and dentist'' with her toys at home.

On Saturday, Toothless was treated for a sore tail with a bandage.

Mrs Munro was pleased with the Otago Medical School initiative, which encouraged her daughter to be more confident when visiting the doctor.

Organiser Annabel Merrett said the annual event served two purposes: allowing students to practise communication skills with children, and familiarising children with a medical environment.

The event also featured healthy living workshops, hand-washing and teeth brushing stations, anatomy models, outdoor games, and a bouncy castle.

St John attended, to allow families to see inside an ambulance.

eileen.goodwin@odt.co.nz

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