“A visit to the Teddy Bear Hospital is intended to take away children’s fear of doctors in white coats and hospitals,” says Johannes Breuer, managing director of the Centre for Paediatrics at University Hospital Bonn, explaining the concept. It particularly helps to dispel the fears of children who are about to stay in hospital, as they will get to know the hospital process. The treatment experience is also valuable to students as practice for dealing with future patients.

The cuddly toys’ illnesses range from typical injuries such as missing button eyes to dislocated limbs and rare fur diseases, says the university hospital. The grounds of the Centre for Paediatrics at University Hospital Bonn will be transformed into a Teddy Bear Hospital for the playmates of boys and girls of kindergarten age with registration, a waiting area, treatment rooms, operating theatre, x-ray department and a pharmacy. Experienced specialists in cuddly toy medicine will take care of the patients, put on bandages and give injections, explains the University Hospital. The Teddy Bear Clinic is also well prepared for complicated operations.

Original text: epd. Translation: kc