The culmination of our recent topic on Moving and Growing involved a trip to the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre to find out about how a patient with injured bones or muscles would be treated. Children were given an all-access tour of the facilities relating to patient care – starting at the phlebotomy department, through the micro biology labs, into the physiotherapy treatment rooms and finally to the x-ray department. In each area, children were taught about how broken bones are tested, treated and rehabilitated.
We were fortunate to have the expertise of Nurse Moira to lead us through each area and a host of other hospital workers who shared their knowledge with us.
We then moved upstairs for a presentation on how bones are fixed using a wide variety of treatments. From simple casts and splints to complicated surgeries that require the use of metal rods and screws.
Our Year Four pupils were inquisitive in the extreme and each new piece of information led to another flood of questions!
Finally, Nurse Moira introduced pupils to Geoffrey, an unfortunate ‘patient’ who had all kinds of medical problems. Pupils identified the broken bones and other complications and decided whether they felt he would need blood tests, x-rays or surgery. He seemed in good hands as the Year 4 children drew on their learning this half term to quickly name his broken bones and offer him a full menu of treatments!
We thank the wonderful staff at the hospital for keeping us safe when we most need them and for hosting us for an excellent, informative visit!