The children’s first trip to the hospital began with a warm introduction, mirroring the doctors' own, as they said, “Hello, my name is…” to break the ice. They were asked which parts of the hospital they would like to explore and learned about the many jobs that keep a hospital running. Their visit included a stop at the NHS library, where they discovered how it differs from a public library, focusing on medical resources and research. At the fracture clinic, they were fascinated by two types of casts and gained insights into the human body, including the styloid, a very important wrist bone and other key bones. The trip provided an engaging opportunity for the children to explore, ask questions, and learn about the vital work that happens in a hospital.

During their visit, the children met Victoria, the NHS librarian, who explained the importance of health literacy - understanding health information to make informed decisions. She introduced them to a helpful website, Health Literacy for Schools, which contains a wealth of resources designed for young learners.

Victoria asked us to share the website with parents so that they can explore the site as well, as it offers valuable tools and information to support family discussions about health and well-being.

The children enjoyed their visit to the plaster room, where they learned about two types of casts: fibreglass casts and plaster casts. They discovered that not all broken bones require a cast, such as fractures in fingers. During the session, they also learned some scientific names for bones, including the femur (thighbone), talus (ankle bone), and metacarpals (hand bones). They were fascinated to see demonstrations of how casts are applied and removed, gaining insight into the process of treating broken bones.