University of Sydney, School of Rural Health students acted as doctors to the children’s teddy bears, checking their ears, eyes and heartbeat just like when children visit their own doctor.

The 25 children also learnt the importance of eating healthy, hand washing, physical activity and dental hygiene.

SRH students Alex Webster and Micayla Kaufman spoke to the children about the benefits of healthy eating, including the importance of eating a variety of fruit and vegetables.

The third year medical students said they hoped the Teddy Bear Hospital was a fun-filled day for the children and allowed them to see that doctors were not scary.

“None of us have done our paediatric terms yet but we’re really looking forward to it,” Ms Webster said.

“This is very exciting to be here and to be doing this,” Ms Kaufman said.

Paediatrician at Dubbo Base Hospital SRH lecturer Dr Jacky Askwith, helped establish the Teddy Bear Hospital program locally.

Dr Askwith said the program was a great way for the medical students to get out into the community.

“They get to appreciate a spectrum of children,” she said.

Dubbo North Public Kindergarten teacher Karina Woods said the children love the experience of Teddy Bear Hospital and the range of things taught on the day has a lot of take home messages, including brushing their teeth and washing their hands.​

A SRH spokesperson said the aim of the School was to bring the medical students to a regional area and expose them a to great rural lifestyle.

“Teddy Bear Hospital is a part of that. Through these events the SRH students get really involved in the community…,” the spokesperson said.