1 August 2018

College fellows deliver NHS pub quiz, 'Transplant Twister' and an NHS70 birthday tea party at the Science Museum lates in July 2018.

A group of College Fellows delivered a range of interactive and thought-provoking activities for a special medicine-themed ‘Late’ event for adults at London’s Science Museum. The theme, chosen to celebrate the 70th birthday of the NHS and the 50th anniversary of the first human heart transplant, was creatively interpreted by six RCPath Fellows as part of their advanced science communication training.

The College runs free science communication training for members annually; the training is delivered by public engagement experts from the Science Museum, and is offered at an introductory level as well as a more advanced session.  

Visitors to the College’s activity area at the event were invited to play ‘Transplant Twister’, test their knowledge in a history of the NHS pub quiz, and to join in with a birthday tea party for the NHS, which included a challenge to put a series of NHS milestones in the correct date order, and the chance to write a message to the NHS in a giant 70th birthday card.

The event was attended by over 5,000 people and hundreds flocked to the Media Space where the RCPath groups were running their activities, including a significant number of medical students, who were keen to hear from pathologists about possible careers (as well as enjoy the activities and free cake!).

The six Fellows who developed and ran their activities were supported on the night by a further nine pathologists and scientists, and all agreed the experience had been well worth the effort, despite the extreme heat!

Dr Sheila O’Connor, principal clinical scientist at the haematological malignancy diagnostic service, St James's Institute of Oncology, Leeds, who developed the pub quiz on the history of the NHS, said It was a really enjoyable event. The interaction with so many young adults who were genuinely keen to engage with the topic was wonderful.”