Rossall School were thrilled to host Operating Theatre Live for 60 budding medics. Students from Hodgson Academy, Baines School, Ashton Community Science College and Millfield Science and Performing Arts College, joined Rossall Students from Years 11, 12 and 13 for this unique experience.
Operating Theatre Live is unlike any other workshop. Set in a replicated operating theatre with real anatomical samples (created from freshly harvested pig cadavers), students were able to don their surgical gloves and assume the role of surgeons for the day.The day was lead by Medical Anatomist and trained teacher, Mr Sam Piri, who was supported by his team of practising Operating Theatre Technicians.
Mr Piri started the day talking to the group about what universities look for in a potential medical student and the university application process for medicine. The students then studied anaesthetics before splitting into smaller groups for the practical sessions.
In their groups, the students had the opportunity to examine and dissect the ‘bodies’, whilst Mr Piri and his team taught them all about anatomy and highlighted the many careers in medicine. Not for the fainthearted or squeamish, the Operating Theatre Live team had all the students extracting guts, eyeballs and even performing amputations!
Year 12 Rossall student, Olivia Gregory who is studying A Levels in Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology commented: “I really enjoyed the day. I have always been interested in a potential career in medicine and this hands-on approach really opened my eyes, as to what it would be like!
Rossall’s Head of Biology, Alison Forster said, “This was a fantastic workshop for the students to take part in. Our students have had experience dissecting organs in class, however, there is nothing like the thrill of the real thing.
“They thoroughly enjoyed dressing up in the medical scrubs and working in groups on their ‘patients’. Thank you to Sam and his team for an unforgettable day.”
