Health and Medicine

The birth of plastic surgery

The First World War saw a huge rise in the number of drastic facial injuries. This led to the development of modern facial reconstructive surgery.

Florence Nightingale: The Lady with the Lamp

Florence Nightingale was a legend in her own lifetime and one of the most famous women in British history.

Explore Health and Medicine events

School children taking part in a Crimean War workshop

Primary

1 Jun 2024 - 20 Jul 2026 FREE

Florence and Mary

Discover the historic contributions of Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole and why they have been remembered (or not) over time.

SEND

1 Jun 2024 - 20 Jul 2026 FREE

Florence and Mary (SEND)

Find out about the work of Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole and how they helped the soldiers in the Crimea.

School students getting to grips with the handling collection

Secondary

1 Jun 2024 - 20 Jul 2026 FREE

Trench medicine: Illnesses, injuries and their treatment

Explore artefacts and sources on the causes and treatment of injuries and illnesses on the Western Front during the First World War, and assess the impact of these innovations.

Florence Nightingale tending to wounded soldiers at Scutari Hospital

Primary

1 Jun 2024 - 20 Jul 2026 FREE

Florence and Mary (virtual)

Discover the historic contributions of Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole and why they have been remembered (or not) over time.

A British medical orderly treats a wounded German soldier, c1916

Secondary

1 Jun 2024 - 20 Jul 2026 FREE

Trench medicine: Illnesses, injuries and their treatment (virtual)

Explore artefacts and sources on the causes and treatment of injuries and illnesses on the Western Front during the First World War, and assess the impact of these innovations.

A wounded African soldier being carried by stretcher bearers on to a motor launch, Burma, c1944

Talk

10 Apr 2026 FREE

Mobile Surgical Units in the Burma Campaign

Join author Kate Venables as she explores the work carried out by her father, Dr Harry Walker, and his colleagues in the Fifth Indian Mobile Surgical Unit.