A Teddy Bear Hospital has opened at the Royal College of Surgeons today which aims to teach children how hospitals work in a digestible and fun way.

The event has grown in popularity since its foundation ten years ago when 25 children attended to hosting over 600 today.

There were over 13 different learning stations at the Teddy Bear Hospital that teach children about everything from broken bones to surgery.

Children were also allowed to bring in their treasured teddies for repair that may have lost limbs or suffered from some wear and tear.

Teddy Bear Hospital staff. Image: Newstalk/Sheila Naughton

Event organiser Aine Harris, a final year medical student at RCSI, said the aim is to try and make hospitals and medical situations “less scary” for children.

“Children may have to go to hospitals themselves and once they see how the process works it definitely lessons those fears,” she told Newstalk.

“This will hopefully make them less scared when they meet a doctor or GP in real life too.”

Doctors pictured at the Teddy Bear Hospital today. Image: Newstalk/Sheila Naughton

Ms Harris said one station at the event teaches children what to do in an emergency situation.

“The idea is that we educate children on what to do in an emergency so that they know to call 999 and they know what an ambulance looks like,” she said.

“Again, the hope is to make it a little less scary if they came across an emergency on the street or something like that.

“We’re learning about vitals, checking heart rates and it’s a lot of fun.

“The best way to lessen any fear is to educate around what the fear actually is – the more knowledge the less fear there will be.”

Money raised by the Teddy Bear Hospital will be given to the Ronald McDonald House and Cian’s Kennels.

Reporting by Sheila Naughton. 

Main image: Children ready to repair their teddies at the Teddy Bear Hospital today. Image: Newstalk/Sheila Naughton.