Hospital open day

A HOSPITAL serving large parts of the southern Yorkshire Dales will be opening its doors next week to give the public an opportunity to get behind the scenes of their local hospital.

Many departments of Airedale NHS Trust, including the hospital's operating theatres will be open to the public and there will be the chance to see how scalpels and other surgical equipment is sterilised in the sterile services department.

During the event - which runs from 4pm to 6.30pm on Tuesday 11th September in the Restaurant area - there will also be lots opportunities to get your hands on real equipment and try a number of challenges such as read an x-ray and how clean are your hands.

One of the many attractions is the opportunity to try plastering with the Accident and Emergency staff and have a go at putting on a real plaster cast.

Other attractions at the event include trying out a real ultrasound scan, taking a tour of the Theatres, physiotherapy unit, Labour Suite, laundry and sterile services department, listening to one of hospital's expert talks on beating the bugs, cancer care and how to have your say on the hospital's future.

The Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Team and the Yorkshire Ambulance Service will also be bringing their vehicles along, to give people a chance to see the emergency services in action.

Fiona Page, Communications Manager says: "This event is now a regular highlight in the Trust calendar and has been getting more popular each year. Anyone is welcome to come along; there will be something for everyone, including children. Our tours are always very popular and everyone seems to enjoy the chance to get their hands on real equipment and see how they'd perform as a surgeon or technician. If everyone who comes learns a little bit about what we do then we have achieved what we set out to - so please come along!"