Children turned doctors and nurses visited Medway Maritime Hospital.

And to make them feel at home they took along their teddies to act as their patients.

The aim of the exercise was to reduce anxiety about coming into hospital.

In the long term, it is hoped the pilot session might encourage youngsters to consider a career in health care.

A party of 28 pupils from Byron Primary School, Gillingham, wore gowns, masks and gloves to mirror the work of trained medical staff.

It took part in a mock mini hospital with a ward, theatre and GP surgery in the grounds in Windmill Road, Gillingham.

It was overseen by consultant anaesthetist Dr Manisha Shah and simulation and clinical manager Gemma Wrighton.

Dr Shah said: “Being in an unfamiliar place can lead to anxiety which can cause health and behavioural problems. We tried to make it as authentic as possible.”

The children, aged between four and seven, were split into groups where they were given demonstrations on administering oxygen, taking blood pressure and chest examinations using a stethoscope. A mini model MRI scanner was set up so that they could give teddy a scan and then examine results.

The morning ended with the hospital’s big teddy falling “seriously ill” with sepsis. They were taught the symptoms and shown how he made a full recovery.

Mrs Wrighton said feedback had been good: “Some of them were very nervous and shy at first. They cannot remember ever being in a hospital.

“We started with a sing-song with the Skeleton Song and Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes and Cookie our therapy labrador helped to put them at ease.

“One little boy asked what he had to do to become a doctor.

“It’s the first time we have done this at Medway and we are definitely looking to do it again.”