28 August 2009

Healthy kids get a glimpse of hospital life

It’s not every day that healthy kids get a sneak peek at what goes on in a busy public hospital.

However, Sutherland Shire year one and two primary school students do just that with more than 1,250 children taking part in a tour of Sutherland Hospital each year.

Each Tuesday, around 30 students join the Hospital Orientation Tour, which is organised by the Hospital School, and hosted by a number of wards.

Hospital School Principal Barbara Allen said students are invited to take part in a comprehensive tour that familiarises them with the hospital building, hospital workers, medical terminology and medical equipment.

“The Orientation Tour provides the students with a tour of Hospital wards, including Medical Imaging (x-ray), and the Child and Adolescent Unit.

“They also have the opportunity to view an informative DVD about a child’s admission to hospital,” Ms Allen said.

“Students are shown x-ray procedures, learn about the human skeleton, see how medical equipment is used for routine observations, learn about the importance of healthy blood and the dangers of smoking.

“A popular component of the tour is the “dress up” segment where students don theatre scrubs, caps and stethoscopes.

“Music and dance are also included in the tour with students learning the Bones Song to consolidate their knowledge about the skeleton – they are also introduced to our resident skeleton, Elle.

“From an education perspective, the hospital visit focuses on a unit of work covered in the HSIE curriculum called Workers in the Community,” Ms Allen said.

“The Orientation Tour not only serves to reduce possible anxiety that children may have about a sudden hospital admission, but encourages healthy lifestyle choices,” she said.


Media Enquiries: Maxine Brennan 9113 2601, 0413 028 776