On our third visit to the hospital, we explored the x-ray department and met a radiographer named Andrew. He took us into an x-ray room, where Joyce (not a real person) was lying on a bed, ready to have her knee x-rayed. Andrew explained that x-rays are special pictures that let doctors see inside the body to check for broken bones or other problems. We each had a turn moving the x-ray machine and setting it to focus on Joyce’s knee. When it was time to take the x-ray, we had to go behind a special screen to stay safe from the x-ray beams, which can be harmful if you’re exposed to them too often. We also visited the intervention x-ray room, which is used for special procedures like inserting tiny tubes or fixing blood vessels. Here, we got to try on lead jackets, which protect staff from the x-rays during procedures. They were surprisingly heavy, and we were amazed at how much work goes into keeping everyone safe while helping patients. We all thought it was fascinating to learn how x-rays work and how they help doctors figure out what’s wrong and how to fix it!

We then visited a maternity ward and met Sarah, the head of midwifery, who explained how they care for mothers and their babies before and after birth. After giving birth, mothers are treated to tea and toast, and we enjoyed juice and toast just like they do. Chloe, another midwife, used a model to show us how babies latch onto their mother’s breast to feed, explaining how the touch of the baby’s lips helps the mother’s body instinctively provide the right nutrients. We learned how to hold a baby properly by supporting its head and were surprised to hear that a baby’s first poo is black, changing colour over the next few days. We practiced changing nappies and Sharon showed us how to bottle feed a baby, teaching us that breast-fed babies often release wind on their own, while bottle-fed babies need their backs rubbed to burp. It was a fascinating and fun experience.

After lunch, , we had an exciting visit to the Accident and Emergency department. We explored the equipment in the back of an ambulance, asked the paramedics lots of questions about their work, and even got to hear the siren up close. Inside the hospital, we were greeted by the lead nurse of the children’s unit, who explained what happens when children need to visit A&E, from being checked in to receiving treatment. The experience gave us a fascinating insight into the important work of paramedics and hospital staff.