Medical Museum at Royal Derby Hospital opens to celebrate 75 years of NHS
To mark the 75th anniversary of the NHS, Derby and Burton Hospitals Charity is hosting a pop-up 'Medical Museum' to celebrate the history of healthcare in Derbyshire and Staffordshire outside of Royal Derby Hospital.
The exhibition will be open to the public from Tuesday 4 - Friday 7 July, and provides a glimpse into the archives of healthcare through the years, with artefacts dating back as far as the early 1800s on display.
The exhibition will display a wide range of artefacts, usually housed across all five of University Hospitals of Derby and Burton's (UHDB) sites. Some of the stand-out pieces include an ivory ceremonial hammer and spirit level used by Queen Victoria to lay the foundation stone of the former Derbyshire Royal Infirmary, items relating to the Florence Nightingale and her connections to Derbyshire and the Trust, and a proceedings book from 1803 featuring notable Derby dignitaries among many more fascinating pieces of healthcare history.
The museum is also an opportunity to celebrate the vital work of the Trust's Library and Knowledge Service, Air Arts, and Derby and Burton Hospitals Charity play in supporting our local NHS services in the provision of exceptional care for patients and their families and communities.
Jill Matthews, Chief Charity Officer, said: "A significant birthday is always a time to celebrate and reflect on the past.
"The NHS in Derbyshire and Staffordshire has an amazing pedigree with much to have pride in, and this exhibition and other events we have planned to mark the 75th anniversary of the NHS is a great way to say thank you to all of our colleagues for their contribution to our history, for the difference they are making now and will continue to have in the future."
Five sculptures have also been commissioned after securing funds from the Heritage Lottery. Created by Derbyshire sculptor Miles Halpin and inspired by the UHDB Medical Museum collection, the work celebrates the Trust's diversity and symbolises the Commonwealth countries who have played a vital role in shaping the NHS workforce since its inception. Included in the work are words from UHDB colleagues illustrating what it means to be part of the organisation.
A limited-edition book and a special musical recording will both be on sale to accompany the exhibition, which have been created by our arts charity, Air Arts. Both feature poetry, music, artwork and photography created by colleagues, which charter the recent history of the NHS.
The museum's opening hours are 9am - 5pm, from Tuesday 4 - Thursday 6 July and 9am - 3pm on Friday 7 July. You do not need to book or make an appointment to visit.