2022 Teddy Bear Hospital

The aim of Teddy Bear Hospital (TBH) is to improve healthcare in the community through educational sessions with children on healthcare. This will be conducted by:

  • Educating children about the importance of managing one’s health in daily living;
  • Alleviating childhood fears towards the medical environment and procedures;
  • Creating a friendly image of a Doctor.

These objectives are achieved via a series of interactive stations led by volunteers. Traditionally, TBH simulates a scenario where the children’s stuffed toy is unwell, with each station focussing on different topics that aim to make their stuffed toy feel better again.

In 2022, we increased our network of TBH partners by collaborating with the National University Hospital (NUH), KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH), and Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA). 

Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA)

For YWCA, we conducted a TBH event on 20 Dec 2022. A total of 6 children and 11 volunteers were present. The event was a rousing success, with all children enjoying the activities and learning more about healthy habits.

National University Hospital (NUH)
&
KK Women’s and children’s Hospital (KKH)

For NUH and KKH, we adapted our TBH activities to suit each hospital’s COVID-19 visitor policies. For NUH, we set up activity booths at the Khoo Teck Puat – National University Children’s Medical Institute (KTP-NUCMI) from 9 Jan to 13 Jan 2023 for outpatient children while waiting for their doctor’s appointment. Approximately 15 volunteers participated. For KKH, we filmed educational videos on IV cannulation to alleviate children’s fears of the procedure, to be shown to patients for KKH’s Pain Awareness Week 2023.

In 2023, we intend to maintain our working relationship with NUH, KKH, and YWCA. However, we also intend to resume collaboration with more childcare organisations like Touch Community Services (TCS) and the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA). This way, we can hold more TBH events across TCS and YMCA’s network of childcare centres.

2022 TBH Convenors

Zi Ting Tan, University of New South Wales
Clement Chan, University of Western Australia

Email: teddybearhospital@smsanz.sg