Lego Replicas Empower Young Patients in New Zealand Hospitals

Lug South, a local Lego club, is undertaking a meaningful initiative to enhance the experiences of young patients in New Zealand hospitals. The club has secured official blueprints to create miniature Lego MRI replicas, which will be distributed to children’s wards in Southland and Dunedin hospitals.

In 2018, Lego initially released 600 of these hospital machinery replicas. However, according to Gavin Evans, secretary of Lug South, these toys never reached New Zealand. Designed from a child’s perspective, the models aim to help children build confidence and resilience while reducing anxiety associated with medical procedures.

The project gained traction when a playroom worker from Southland Hospital reached out to Evans, inquiring whether he could replicate the toy. Recognizing the potential impact, Evans contacted a club overseas that had previously made instructions for constructing the models. With Lego’s approval in 2018, the overseas club had the expertise needed for the project.

Evans invited fellow club members Lance Elder and Cory Varcoe to assist with the builds. For Elder, this project represents a poignant full-circle moment. As a child, he underwent treatment for leukaemia at the age of seven and had X-rays done at Dunedin Hospital. Though he never had an MRI, he recalls a moment where hospital staff allowed him to use the X-ray machine on his own Lego toy. He expressed fulfillment in contributing to the well-being of children facing similar challenges today.

Varcoe took on the responsibility of gathering and organizing parts for the first five MRIs destined for Southland. The club’s ambitions extend beyond these initial models, with plans to distribute the replicas to children’s wards across New Zealand.

This initiative not only showcases the creativity and dedication of the Lug South club but also highlights the importance of innovative approaches in pediatric healthcare. By providing these Lego replicas, the club aims to help alleviate fears associated with medical procedures and promote a sense of comfort for young patients.