Health and Medicine in Britain Workshop

Students will investigate the work and context of significant individuals such as John Hunter, Edward Jenner, Joseph Lister and Harold Gillies as well as the history and development of surgery up to the present day - before evaluating the significance of their work and discoveries.

Please be aware the 19th Century Surgery gallery is currently closed. We are sorry for any inconvenience.

Risk Assessment (doc, 397.312 KB)

About the workshop

This workshop explores the art of surgery using real objects, anatomical models, facsimiles of manuscripts, rare books and illustrations to inspire curiosity through observation and encourage discussions using evidence-based resources. This session may include:

1: Art, Anatomy and Surgery

2: Development in Surgery (including war surgery)

3: Ask a surgeon (Q&A with a retired surgeon)

Suitable for

This workshop is for GCSE students studying ‘Health and the People’ from the AQA and 'Medicine in Britain' Edexcel curricula.

Learning outcomes

Understand the evolution of medical practices from the Medieval period to modern times.
Engage with historical medical objects and techniques to gain a deeper appreciation for the history of medicine.
Explore the contributions of key figures and innovations in medical history.
Learn about the importance of technology in modern medicine.
Learn about surgery, patients' experience and ethics.

Curriculum Links

AQA – Health and the People

Medieval Medicine: Approaches including natural, supernatural, ideas of Hippocratic and Galenic methods and treatments; the medieval doctor; training, beliefs about cause of illness.
The impact of the Renaissance on Britain: Challenge to medical authority in anatomy, physiology and surgery; the work of Vesalius, Pare, William Harvey; opposition to change
Dealing with Disease: Traditional and new methods of treatments; quackery; methods of treating disease; plague; the growth of hospitals; changes to the training and status of surgeons and physicians; the work of John Hunter
Prevention of disease: inoculation; Edward Jenner, vaccination and opposition to change.
A revolution in surgery: Anaesthetics, including Simpson and chloroform; antiseptics, including Lister and carbolic acid; surgical procedures; aseptic surgery
The development of Germ Theory and its impact on the treatment of disease in Britain: The importance of Pasteur, Robert Koch, and microbe hunting. Pasteur and vaccination; Paul Ehrlich and magic bullets; everyday medical treatments and remedies
The impact of war and technology on surgery: Plastic surgery; blood transfusions; X-rays; transplant surgery; modern surgical methods, including lasers, radiation therapy and keyhole surgery

Edexcel – Medicine in Britain

Ideas about the cause of disease and illness - Rational explanations: The Theory of the Four Humours and the miasma theory; the continuing influence in England of Hippocrates and Galen
Approaches to prevention and treatment - the extent of change in care and treatment: Improvements in medical training and the influence in England of the work of Vesalius
Case studies - Key individual: William Harvey and the discovery of the circulation of the blood
Ideas about the cause of disease and illness - Continuity and change in explanations of the causes of disease and illness: The influence in Britain of Pasteur's germ Theory and Koch's work on microbes
Approaches to prevention and treatment - the extent of change in care and treatment: Improvements in hospital care and the influence of Nightingale. The impact of anaesthetics and antiseptics on surgery
The significance of the Western Front for experiments in surgery and medicine: new technologies in the treatment of wounds and infection, the Thomas splint, the use of mobile X-ray units, the creation of a blood bank for the Battle of Cambrai
Approaches to prevention and treatment - the extent of change in care and treatment: The impact of the NHS and science and technology: improved access to care; advances in medicines, including magic bullets and antibiotics; high-tech medical and surgical treatment in hospitals

Running period

The Health and Medicine in Britain sessions will take place from 9 October to 13 November 2025 on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10am-12pm and 1.30pm-3.30pm and from 3 February to 14 April 2026 on Tuesdays at 10am-12pm and 1.30pm-3.30pm. Now available to book online.

No sessions will be offered during February half term, Easter holidays and October half term.

Group size

This workshop has a maximum capacity of 30. The ratio of teachers to pupils depends on students’ age:

Age 14-16: 1 teacher to 10 pupils

The minimum group size is 9 people, including 1 teacher.

Duration

Two hours

45 minutes in the Museum followed by an hour workshop. There is a 15 minute buffer for arrival time, toilet break and walking to the workshop room.

Location

Hunterian Museum, Royal College of Surgeons of England, 38-43 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London. WC2A 3PE

Important booking information

You will need to have the following information before making your booking.

A credit/debit card or paypal method of payment
The date and time of your visit
The school's postcode
The number of students and teachers in your group
The year group of the students
The course/subject you are coming for
Any specific access requirements
Whether you wish to opt out of a topic

Cost and Cancellation Policy

This workshop is £220 per group.

If you are unable to attend your session, it is your responsibility to advise us with as much notice as possible, ideally four weeks or more*, please email [email protected] to cancel your booking.

*If you notify us at least 4 weeks before the date of your visit we are happy to offer you a full refund (excluding the eventbrite fee).

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