The Teddy Bear Hospital is an annual event where children, accompanied by their parents or guardians, are invited to visit healthcare centres. The aim is both to help prevent children from developing a fear of doctors and healthcare professionals, and to give junior medical students an opportunity to practise communicating with children and their families.

This year, four healthcare centres are welcoming children:

• Heilsugæslan Efstaleiti

• Heilsugæslan Seltjarnarnesi og Vesturbæ

• Heilsugæslan Sólvangi

• Heilsugæslan Höfða

Each child brings their own teddy bear to the hospital. It is a good idea to talk with your child beforehand about what might be wrong with their teddy bear—for example, whether it has a sore throat, a stomach bug, or a broken leg.

When they arrive at the healthcare centre, the child will check in their teddy bear. Afterwards, a teddy bear doctor will take the child and their teddy bear into an examination room, where the doctor will examine the teddy bear and provide whatever care and treatment it needs.

There is no need to make an appointment—just come along with a smile and a good mood!