Community Life

School pupils from five Bexley schools have been learning about the origins of the NHS and the kind of treatment their ancestors would have received before the National Health service came along in 1948.

Young people from Cleeve Park, Blackfen Girls’ School, St Luke’s College, Bexleyheath and Hurstmere School for Boys were joined by historian Karen Howell - who gave them an insight into life before the NHS.

From a 'pill making machine' to an anaesthetic mask and a Lithorite, used to remove bladder stones, dating from 1840 - the pupils were shown what life in medicine was really like.

Nurses at a health centre

"while we’re reflecting on the past, it’s a great time to enthuse young people about the future of our local health service."

Paul Cutler, Bexley Care Trust

• Bexley Care Trust

Historical medical artefacts

The students were asked to handle the equipment and guess what they were used for. The museum curator Karen Howell asked the pupils to identify an artefact from 1860 – a cervical dilator, made of metal and used to help women in childbirth.

As well as looking at historical medical artefacts, including authentic equipment from St Thomas' old operating theatre museum, the twenty pupils began to look into the future of medical care.

Planning, buying and reviewing

They were asked to put together their own commissioning cycle. The process involves planning, buying and reviewing health services on behalf of residents.

The local care trust in Bexley is currently in the process of reviewing stroke services and the youngsters were asked to have their input into that process.

Paul Cutler, who works for the Bexley Care Trust says: “while we’re reflecting on the past, it’s a great time to enthuse young people about the future of our local health service."

He continued: “these youngsters really can impact what happens in the future, and the Care Trust is particularly keen to make sure young people have their say."

Special workshops

The special workshop was held to mark the sixtieth birthday of the NHS which was officially launched on the 5th July 1948.

What is this? Pupils taking a look

Its part of a wider Healthy Schools Programme which aims to get young people interested in Health and social care.

Tricia Oates, who is the Healthy Schools Coordinator said the scheme was: “a vehicle where schools can access a wide range of resources and advice relating to health."

"The whole school approach recognises the importance of adopting a holistic approach to education. “

People are now living on average at least ten years longer then they did in 1948 – deaths from cancer and heart disease have fallen dramatically and Britain is one of the safest places in the world to give birth.