Location Safety and Risk Assessment Meeting
An evening of Education, Fascination and Gastronomy!
Friday 29th September 2006 : An entertaining guide to Location Safety and Risk Assessment - Essential information for all those involved in TV Operations - delivered with a basinful of surgical blood and sawdust at the oldest Operating Theatre in Britain - and afterwards, supper at The George Inn around the corner.
The Meeting is aimed at all active members of the STLD, who may be surprised at some of the responsibilities they have to deal with nowadays.
The talk will be delivered by Dougal Proudlock, the Safety Officer at BBC OB Resources, who is noted for his entertaining yet informative talks on the subject.
And afterwards, there is an (optional) supper and the opportunity to network with your Colleagues at The George Inn around the corner in Borough High Street. Famous as a coaching inn during the 17th century, and mentioned by Dickens in "Little Dorrit". It looks a bit like the Globe Theatre nearby, but with food and drink as the main show instead!
- Speaker :
Dougal Proudlock, Safety Officer, BBC OB's Resources.
- Venue :
The Old Operating Theatre, Museum & Herb Garret
9a St. Thomas St, London SE1 9RY
Follow this for a Map of Location
- Times :
18:00 Reception (Drinks)
18:30 Meeting
20:30 Supper
- Contact :
Andrew Dixon (email contact link)
39 Castlebar Park, Ealing W51DA
020 8998 9514
Before 26th Sept!
Some historical details about the venue :
The Operating Theatre (operating or emergency room) is found in the roof space of an English Baroque Church. At first glance this placement seems bizarre. But it makes more sense when it is realised that the wards of the South Wing of St. Thomas's Hospital were built around St. Thomas's Church. Dorcas was the women's surgical ward. Before 1822, the women were operated on in the ward - this must have caused some considerable distress. In 1815 the Apothecary's Act, which required apprentice apothecaries to attend at public hospitals, meant that hordes of students poured in to watch operations.
Placing the Theatre in the Herb Garret of the Church provided a separation from the ward. It gave a separate entrance for students, and afforded a measure of sound proofing. It was also approximately at the same level as the women's surgical ward which aided the transport of patients to the theatre. The Theatre was purpose built to maximise the light from above, with a large skylight. Although not heated or ventilated, it provided an ideal, albeit small, area for demonstrating surgical skills. old operating theatre photo in black and white
Until 1847, surgeons had no recourse to anaesthetics and depended on swift technique (surgeons could perform an amputation in a minute or less), the mental preparation of the patient and alcohol or opiates to dull the patient's senses. Thereafter ether or chloroform started to be used. The Operating Theatre had closed down before antiseptic surgery was invented. The majority of cases were for amputations or superficial complaints as, without antiseptic conditions, it was too dangerous to carry out internal operations.
To have a good look round the museum, come earlier, as it is open from 10:30 to 17:00 - Entry is £4.95.
For a Virtual Tour and more information, visit http://www.thegarret.org.uk/oot.htm