Emergency Departments are frightening places when you are small, unwell or hurt.
The people you meet seem bigger and if you are in pain it is overwhelming. Having a Love and Care Teddy Bear to hold can make all of the difference particularly when you can choose the colour.
Our team in ED are delighted with the gift of the Teddies It’s a brilliant idea that we can use so that children can show and point on Teddy what is hurting. Using the Teddy bears as a model can also help parents to see what a therapy may look like particularly if a child needs oxygen or intravenous medications.
Feedback from the ED team members is that, “The Teddies make the children’s eyes light up”; and “It is a delight to see the change in the children’s faces when they see the Teddy and know that it’s theirs to keep”.
The first box of 100 bears is almost empty with another box waiting to be opened. In ED we are all enjoying giving a bear to help reduce our children’s fears. We are very grateful to be chosen by the Freemasons as the site for the Love and Care Bears.
By Stephanie Watson, Charge Nurse Manager Tauranga Emergency Department, Bay of Plenty District Health Board
I am writing for this magazine to thank the Freemasons for their lovely gift of the Love and Care Bears.
