Members of the public will be going deep into the heart of Southampton’s teaching hospitals during an action-packed open day this weekend.
For the second year running, people will be able to go behind the scenes of Southampton General Hospital and experience the ‘patient journey’ amid a host of fun and educational activities.
As well as tours around key areas including theatres, pathology and the site operations centre, there will be the chance to look through the world’s most powerful microscopes in the biomedical imaging unit and meditate with the chaplains in spiritual care.
People can also visit the sites of some of the country’s most advanced clinical research projects in collaboration with the University of Southampton at the Cancer Research UK laboratories and the Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility.
Colorectal surgeon Alex Mirnezami and his team will be raising awareness of colon cancer with the help of a giant walkthrough inflatable colon and staff in the respiratory biomedical research unit will be conducting breathing tests and offering the opportunity to speak with doctors afterwards to discuss the results.
Among the departments open for visitors to meet staff and find out more about day-to-day life in the busy hospital units are cystic fibrosis, the eye unit and cardiac short stay, while the main activity area will be home to more than 20 information stands.
Children will be able to test their steady hand skills on giant versions of games Operation and Buzzwire, along with getting their arms plastered in the casting room or sending their cuddly toys for treatment in the teddy bear hospital.
“We are offering the community a chance to come in and find out more about how their hospital functions on a daily basis and what makes us a world-class centre for both treatment and research,” said Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust chief executive Mark Hackett.
“The event will be educational and fun for all the family and we look forward to welcoming everyone through our doors on Saturday.”
The open day takes place on Saturday (2 October) from 11am to 3pm at Southampton General Hospital, with free parking for visitors in the multi-storey car park.
Posted on Wednesday 29 September 2010