MPs battle it out in bed-making competition at hospital open day
14-Jul-2011
The North West London Hospitals NHS Trust held its open day on Saturday, inviting hundreds of members of the public to see what its many departments do.
Children enjoyed a magician and bouncy castle, teddy bears’ hospital and picnic, face painting and hat-making activities. Adults lined up to have their health checked, inspect a giant walk-through inflatable bowel, find out about hospital services, taste hospital food and take part in live hospital radio outside broadcasts.
Local MPs Bob Blackman and Barry Gardiner got into the spirit of the day by going head to head in a bed-making competition. Mr Gardiner walked away a clear winner.
Members of staff from all areas of the hospital, clinical and non-clinical, gave up their free time to set out their stalls to demonstrate the wide variety of work that goes on at Central Middlesex, Northwick Park and St Mark’s Hospitals.
Chief Executive Fiona Wise said: “I know that I was not alone in thoroughly enjoying Saturday. Everyone put in a great deal of effort and all the stalls and activities greatly impressed not just me, but our two local MPs, Bob Blackman and Barry Gardiner, and Mayor of Brent, Councillor Aslam Choudry, and deputy Mayor of Harrow, Councillor Nizam Ismail.
“Turnout exceeded expectation and I know many members of the public made use of the services and information we provided. While opening our doors to the public was in many ways the point of the day, Saturday was also a chance for our staff to learn about areas of the hospital that they perhaps did not know much about before. Many people have told me how much they appreciated meeting new colleagues and learning about the work they do.
“We were even fortunate enough to enjoy some fine weather, which only added to the brilliant atmosphere.”
To view photos from the day, click on the link below.