Teddy Bears Will Help Hawke’s Bay Children Understand Surgery
Posted on July 25, 2018
Only a select few are allowed into the theatre during surgery. But at Shore Surgery Hospital teddy bears are on that list.
Shore Surgery received a donation of 100 teddy bears, which will be given to children having surgery at the hospital. The bears give comfort to the children, and can be used by nurses to help explain procedures to the children.
“The nurses can put a little IV [intravenous] pad on, or show a little dressing, or just point out on the body, using the teddy bear, where their incision will be,” said Shore Surgery Hospital general manager Denise Primrose.
Parents understand how difficult it can be to have a child in hospital.
Children can really relate to a teddy bear so a new book has been developed which, along with the teddy bears, will help children navigate their experience at hospital. The book, My Shore Surgery Journey, by nurse Karla Arrieta, was released to coincide with the teddies arriving at Shore Surgery.
The bears were donated through the Surgical Trust’s Bear Project, and provided by Wellington based company Phil and Teds. Surgical Trust trustee Julie Millar said it was lovely to be able to support the children.
“Children love the bears. We see the bears being cuddled as the child is being wheeled into the operating theatre,” Millar said.
Primrose said it was great to be able to offer the children some comfort when they arrived at hospital.
“To be able to give something tangible to young children, just to offer some comfort, is really fantastic.”
The project has previously donated to hospitals in Wellington, Christchurch and the Waikato. Shore Surgery in the first hospital in Hawke’s Bay to be part of the project.
Full article: NZ Herald.co.nz
