This weekend (15 and 16 February), over 660 children, their families, and their teddies, attended RCSI’s Teddy Bear Hospital. RCSI students got the chance to play 'teddy bear doctor’ for the day and worked tirelessly to treat the injuries and ailments of their cuddly patients.

For one day each year, RCSI shifts its focus from medical discovery, innovation and clinical research to the worthy cause of ‘teddy bear health’. The University invites children aged four to ten to bring their teddy bears in for a check-up, offering care to any sick or injured teddies that need a little patching up.

At this year’s RCSI Teddy Bear Hospital, children were able to explore and learn at 15 stations including phlebotomy, x-ray and imaging, yoga and dance, suturing, surgery and first aid.

Speaking at the event, Saumeh Saeedi, President of the RCSI Paediatric’s Society, said: “We are particularly excited about the addition of the new mental health station. Early education around mental health is hugely important, it affects everyone, and it should be treated like any other form of healthcare, so we are delighted to have been able to add it as a station this year.”

The annual Teddy Bear Hospital aims to educate children about healthcare and what goes on inside a hospital. Students ran the medical stations and were available to answer questions and chat to the children in the hope of alleviating any fears they might have had about doctors and medicine.

While Saturday was a busier day, the Sunday sessions had a higher volunteer-to-child ratio for children who would benefit from a quieter environment.

Hosted by the RCSI Paediatrics Society since 2015, the event has raised funds for various children's charities in Ireland. This year the society raised funds for Make-A-Wish Ireland. The charity’s mission is to bring some joy to children who are living with life-threatening illnesses. Make-A-Wish granted 214 wishes in 2024 alone, offering much needed respite to young patients and families across Ireland. Donations can still be made here.