Medicine for Members Event
A Potted History of QMC: 40th Anniversary – January 2017
Feedback Report
The Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC) opened its doors for the first time in 1977 and in 2017 we are
celebrating our 40th anniversary.
To mark this occasion for the first time NUH members had the opportunity to come to an illustrated talk by
Paul Swift, Honorary Archivist of our hospitals. Members heard how the QMC’s creators managed to fight
off those who were against its construction, and to how the QMC has become one of the world’s leading
teaching hospitals in research and medical innovation.
Paul has been researching the history of Nottingham’s Hospitals for the past 21 years and manages the
Nottingham Hospitals History website and related Nottingham Hospitals History Facebook page. After
beginning with just one sheet of A4 and a pen Paul’s research has taken him to London and the Royal
Colleges, the London Clinic on Harley Street, the Queen Victoria Hospital East Grinstead and numerous
articles, books, radio interviews and appearances on television.
NUH Member, Keith Murray, also spoke at the event. Keith was a member of the design team and Resident
Engineer for Revel Hayward & Partners in 1976 when West block was commissioned and Phase 2 was
under construction. Keith spoke about his experiences being part of this team and showed interesting
photographs of the site. He subsequently worked at the Trust and was one of the last members of the
original design team to retire in 2013.
The event was kindly sponsored by The League of Friends QMC.
To mark this milestone anniversary we want to share stories and memories from patients and staff
spanning the last four decades. If you have a story or memory to share, please get in touch:
[email protected] Tweet @nottmhospitals #QMC40 0115 924 9924 ext. 65063
54 people attended the event. 38 delegates completed the feedback form, here are the results.
Which member category best describes you?
6%
Foundation Trust
Member
31%
63%
Member of the public
Former member of staff
Over half of attendees were
NUH Members. However
there was a significant
number of attendees who
were members of the public,
some of which were former
staff.
This demonstrates that
event promotion is reaching
a wide audience, not just
Members. We should have
membership information
readily at events to enable
people to sign-up if they
wish to.
What did you think about the event overall?
8%
28%
33%
Excellent
Very Good
31%
Good
Majority of attendees
thought the event was
excellent or very good.
Only a small number
thought it could be
improved. This was
mainly due the quality of
sound in the venue.
Could be improved
How likely are you to recommend future events to friends and family?
14%
32%
Extremely Likely
Likely
54%
Neither likely or
unlikely
The vast majority of
attendees said they would
recommend future events.
The was a few people that
said that it would be neither
likely or unlikely that they
would recommend events.
We can conclude that the
uniqueness of the event
subject that attracted them.
Also, many attendees had
their own ‘history’ with QMC.
What were your expectations of the event prior to attending?
Below are some of the comments we received:
Learning about QMC history. To see old photos of then and now. Looking forward to learning about the
development of the QMC and problems that arose. That it would be interesting and informative. A
presentation and talk. As a previous employee I was interested to learn of its history. Now, and then
presentations. To see the site before development and how it developed. To become more acquainted with
the building and development of QMC and how the surrounding area was affected and developed. Early
history of QMC. To learn more of the history of the planning/ building and relationships to old hospitals.
To hear of cooperation from London Hospitals to a new Medical School outside of the capital.
Did we meet these expectations?
The vast majority of attendees simply answered, ‘yes’. Very interesting pictorial presentation of how
everything has evolved into today’s world. Only two people mentioned ‘in-part’- commenting on ‘less
technical information and more prior liaison by presenters.
What would have improved your experience of the event?
More time for questions. I could hear at the front but mic may have helped. Better acoustics – noisy air
conditioning. Nothing! Improve the sound quality. Amplification of first speaker and raising height of the
screen. Paraphrase the slides rather than reading the lengthy wording. Turn off some of the bright lights.
Medilink buses delayed by 20 minutes – so got there late! Sound system.
What other events would you like to see at NUH?
Use of ‘cutting edge technology’ in the hospital. Departmental visits. Development of services. Continue
variety.
Any other comments?
Good, enjoyable. Very interesting pictures, couldn’t hear the speakers very well. Carry on – you’re doing a
great job. Looking forward to future events. Thank you very much. Very enjoyable. The R/ Therapy suite at
the city. Very good. Extremely interesting.
Key learnings from the event
•
Overall the attendees found the event very interesting and enjoyed seeing the past photographs of
the QMC. As part of our QMC40 celebrations we should look to display these around the hospital
this year.
•
We had several comments about the ‘acoustics’ of the room that was used and the fact that one of
the speakers couldn’t be heard easily. For all future events we will ensure that microphones and
speakers are available (including hearing loops if necessary) and we will review the event locations
to ensure it is appropriate for the delivery of the event.
•
The event was very well attended with several members who were unable to make it asking if there
would be another opportunity to hear the QMC’s history. Also, with several past staff members
present and the event not promoted to our current staff, it would be good to hold a similar event
later this year for staff, members and other stakeholders.
Many thanks to Paul Swift, Keith Murray and The League of Friends QMC
in making this event a success.