La Palma : Tour Aims at Allaying Children’s Hospital Fear

To alleviate the fears children may have of hospitals, La Palma Intercommunity Hospital is offering free tours of its emergency room.

From the children who already have taken the tour, the most commonly asked question is, “Does it hurt?” After the basic question is answered, a few want to know if they can have plaster casts made for their dolls.

The free tours do not provide casts, but they do offer an inside look at how the community emergency room works, spokeswoman Ingrid Humphrey said.

Because of the tours’ popularity last month--the first time they were offered--the hospital is extending the service to groups through next month. After a tour of the emergency room at 7901 Walker St., hospital officials hope that children “won’t be fearful of the unknown,” Humphrey said.

The tours are available between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Those interested should call 670-6053.