Medical students at NUI Galway have reopened their much-loved annual Teddy Bear Hospital, after being cancelled for two years due to the pandemic.
This year they have launched an outreach programme across Connacht, where doctors come to the classroom to treat "sick" teddies.
Junior and senior infants at Mercy Primary School in Galway City and Gaeilscoil Chnoc na Ré in Sligo were happy to have the young medics treat their teddies and their dolls.
The pupils are amongst thousands of anxious teddy bear owners in schools around Connacht getting lots of tender loving care from the medical students.
Up to 50 medical, healthcare and science students were on hand to diagnose and treat teddy bears in the comfort of the classroom. The aim is to help children feel more comfortable around doctors and hospitals.
The event usually takes place in January, but has been pushed online in recent years due to Covid-19.
The event usually sees over 1,200 sick teddy bears admitted to the hospital, accompanied by their minders - 1,200 primary school students.
This year a new outreach programme has been established, with volunteers due to visit junior and senior Infants in different primary schools in Galway city, Castlebar, Sligo town and Letterkenny.
It is the brain child of the students of the Sláinte Society at NUIG, which focuses on all aspects of physical and mental health.
Emily Gaine, a third year Medical student at the university and co-auditor of Sláinte Society, said: "We are extremely excited to bring a new version of Teddy Bear Hospital to schools this year.
"We have worked so hard to envision a modern in-person version of the hospital to the children, in spite of Covid.
"We held the Teddy Bear Hospital online last year, and although it was successful, it just wasn't the same as the live event.
"This year, six primary schools from around Connacht will be participating, equating to over 300 children. Once in the classroom, the children will each an individual consultation with one of the teddy bear doctors.
"The 'patients’ will be examined by the doctors and will receive a ‘pawscription’ and referral to surgery or x-ray. There are also MRI machines on hand, should the teddy bears need them".
