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Canning Vale medical centre aims to make kids trips to the doctors more bear-able

Ben SmithCanning Gazette

QUEENSGATE Medical Centre has attempted to ease children’s fears about doctors’ trips being scary by holding a Teddy Bear Hospital.

About 110 children brought their favourite teddy bears to the Canning Vale GP clinic for a mock check-up as part of the event.

Children watched as the teddies received an examination with a stethoscope, X-rays, immunisations, bandages and a surgical station where they were repaired or a given a fluid drip.

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General practitioner Andrew Leech said the aim was to reduce fear and anxiety in children.

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“It provides an opportunity to desensitise them to common medical examinations or procedures that might take place if they were to attend a doctor,” he said.

“We normally see children when they are sick or needing an injection. It is nice to see them when they are well and be able to reassure them that we aren’t scary and there are various examinations that might come up if they attend a GP clinic or hospital.”

The clinic was assisted by Notre Dame University medical students, who also raised about $350 for the Smith Family.