First St George’s community open day celebrates a Tooting success story
Around 2000 people enjoyed St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust and St George’s, University of London’s first community open day, which took place on Saturday 18th June.
The day was officially opened by the Mayor of Wandsworth Cllr Jane Cooper, while the Rt Hon Sadiq Khan, MP for Tooting, was also on hand to lend his support.
Visitors were able to go on tours of the hospital to get the inside view of CT body scanning and state-of-the-art robotic surgery. Staff from across the hospital and university were also available on over 50 stands to showcase key services, provide advice on healthy living, and offer information about healthcare career opportunities.
University students provided demonstrations of healthcare skills, while researchers provided an insight into the working science of the human body and demonstrated aspects of their cutting-edge medical and health sciences work.
As well as all the science and healthcare activities, family entertainment included juggling lessons, face painting, and street theatre performances.
Professor Peter Kopelman, principal of St George’s, University of London, said: “It was a memorable occasion that showcased the past achievements of the hospital and university, the current close partnership and future ambitions.
“There was great interest from visitors in the stands and exhibitions on show. It was a privilege to be able to show people what we do here, as well as give them the chance to experience practical aspects of medicine and healthcare themselves.”
Naaz Coker, chair of St George’s Healthcare, added: “I thank everyone who came along, and look forward to welcoming back the community to future events to celebrate the ‘greater St George’s’.”
Dr Matthew Szarko, lecturer in medical education, anatomical sciences, explaining the anatomy of the eyes to a young visitor
One of the stand holders
Notes to editors
For more information, please contact the communications team at St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust on 020 8725 5151 or email communications@stgeorges.nhs.uk. Outside working hours, please page the team by calling 0844 822 2888, leaving a short message and contact details for pager SG548.
About St George’s, University of London
St George’s, University of London (SGUL), established in 1733, is distinctive as the UK’s only independent medical and healthcare higher education institution. It benefits from strong links with the healthcare profession, including a shared site with St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust in Tooting, south west London.
SGUL is dedicated to the education and training of doctors, nurses, midwives, physician’s assistants, paramedics, physiotherapists, radiographers, social workers, healthcare and biomedical scientists. It attracts around 6,000 students, some of whom are taught in conjunction with Kingston University.
Research at SGUL has a UK and international focus and aims to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease in areas including infection and immunity, heart disease and stroke, and cell signalling. It also aims to enhance understanding of public health and epidemiology, clinical genetics, and social care sciences. www.sgul.ac.uk
