13/02/2026
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It has been a pleasure to co-host the 2026 Teddy Bear Hospital, in partnership with Ulster University Child Health Society and the Western Health and Social Care Trust Health Improvement Equality and Involvement Department.
The aim was to develop a fun and engaging project, focusing on promoting a positive image of the healthcare profession and promoting healthy lifestyles, while aiming to reduce fears children may have of clinical environments.
The parents from Altnagelvin Parents Group have been key to providing information and insight behind uncertainties and fears their children may have developed due to repetitive, yet necessary hospitalisations because of the nature of their children’s medical conditions. This has helped shape all the medical play stations at the event as well as feedback from last years event.
The children had the opportunity to wear child size scrubs, put their teddy through pretend MRI and X-ray machines, get their bloods taken, have an NG tube or cannula fitted and visit the dentist. They were given the opportunity to be the doctor for the day and visit an ambulance. A huge thank you to all the student doctors and nurses from the child health society at university of ulster
Bringing together health and education through play based activities at this early intervention project has hopefully had a positive lasting impact for each and every family taking part.
Thank you for our information stands this year. We had stands from Angel Eyes NI, Encompass My Care App, Care Opinion, PPI, community food and nutrition, physical activity, and smoking cessation.
Exploring the medical world around them through medical play based activities has been an invaluable opportunity.
By bridging the gap between young patients, parents, siblings and the healthcare system, we hope the Teddy Bear Hospital made a lasting impact.
Thank you to all the staff at An Croí Hillcrest Trust for their support on the day and the days leading up to the event.
Thank you to Just Content Studios who provided instant photos on the day for children to take home.
All the lovely photos capturing the event were taken by Peter Mckane.
A special word of thanks to everyone who helped on the day to make this successful event run so smoothly
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