Worry Worms Invade Emergency Department

We’ve heard about worry worms before.

They were a huge hit during COVID, when the Hawkesbury Worry Worms were at their peak, lightening the darkness that hung over everyone during the pandemic.

Now, these bright, squirmy worms have wiggled their way into the emergency department of the Hawkesbury District Health Service to help distract youngsters from their ordeal.

Not only do the worms hang out with them during their emergency visit, but they get to go home with them after they’ve been treated.

CEO of Hawkesbury District Health Service, Strphon Billinghurst welcomed the wiggly visitors.

“Our hospital volunteers are one of our greatest assets and they work tirelessly to not only raise funds for our health services but also to look at innovative ways to improve the experience for our patients and visitors,” Mr Billinghurst said.

“The knitted worry worms are one such initiative.

“Attending an emergency department can be quite a stressful time for patients, especially children.

“They are usually busy places and there can be a lot of unfamiliar noises.

“The worry worms provide a novel distraction for children and they get to take their new friend with them throughout the treatment and then home.

“This helps to settle the children and in doing so, helps to relieve some of the anxiety that parents also feel.

“We have also found the worry worms ideal for older patients who use them as a sensory comforter.”

The delightful distractions have been crocheted by volunteers and a community group from Blacktown.

You can find the pattern for worry worms online, but it is important to note that they were never meant to be sold.

Worry worms were created to be an act of kindness to others and there is a little poem that can be downloaded with the pattern to be printed or reproduced and sent off into the world with each worry worm.

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• Health & Wellness