A Duty to Care: The Emotional Community of Nursing in the Second World War (online)

Royal College of Nursing Library & Heritage Centre

7th June 2023 | 6:00PM



Katherine Roberts draws on the personal writings of seven QA’s to explore the experiences of and expectations for British military nurses.

Over the course of the Second World War, 12,000 British women served as military nurses with the Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service (QA’s). In this talk, doctoral candidate Katherine Roberts draws on the personal writings of seven QA’s in order to explore the experience of military nurses and to consider how the expectations of the British wartime community influenced the ways in which these women captured their emotions in their diaries and letters.



Faculty Black-Tie Dinner 2023

The Worshipful Society of Apothecaries

8th June 2023 | 6:45PM


The Faculty is hosting its inaugural Black-Tie Dinner open to members only and their guests. – Click here to book. If you would like to join the Faculty, email facultyhp@apothecaries.org 



A Physic Garden from the past, from belief to knowledge 1673-2023

The Worshipful Society of Apothecaries

12th June 2023 | 12:00AM


Contact: facultyhp@apothecaries.org for further information. The poster competition is open to students, members and non-members.



Creative eye: photography workshop

Royal College of Physicians Museum

14th June 2023 | 6:00PM



Join like-minded photography enthusiasts to explore a stunning Grade I listed building, develop your creative skills with professional photographer Theo Deproost, and produce your unique artistic response to the environment around you. This is a London Festival of Architecture event.

The Royal College of Physicians’ current exhibition ‘Unfamiliar’ is a coming together of art and medicine. Co-curated by physician associate Debbie Jegede and fine art photographer Theo Deproost, new artworks created by Theo are displayed alongside the original items to reveal altered perspectives which challenge our understanding and highlight the common ground between medicine and art.

Be inspired by the ‘Unfamiliar’ theme of creating new, ‘in common’ understandings, and join Theo and the RCP Museum team for a creative photography workshop using the architecture of our building as the subject. Explore the exhibition and our striking home, learn to compose and create your own images, and get direct feedback and advice.

Level of experience required: A basic knowledge of your own camera and its settings.

Equipment: We recommend bringing a DSLR camera (or any camera with a manual setting) and a tripod to fully enjoy and learn from the session.

What you will learn:

  • Inspiration – Explore Theo Deproost’s exhibition ‘Unfamiliar’ with the photographer and discover the striking features of our Grade I listed building.
  • Composition – Understand different techniques and creative styles for composing your photographs.
  • Light – Use natural light as a tool to create beautiful photographs.
  • Knowledge – learn how to control and balance shutter speed, aperture and ISO to produce a variety of visual effects.

Book with Art Tickets

Discounted tickets are available for Art Pass holders.

London Festival of Architecture

The London Festival of Architecture is a month long celebration of architecture and city-making, taking place every June across London. The Festival’s mission is to open up discussions around architecture, test new ideas and uncover and promote new talent. The programme of events launches on 10 May.



Science Showoff Cures All Ills

Old Operating Theatre & Herb Garret

21st June 2023 | 6:00PM



Join us for a night of medically-themed stand-up comedy, stories, and silliness from some of London’s funniest people. Our MC Dr Steve Cross has carefully collected an incredible line-up of comedians, historians, and medical professionals to entertain you in the historic surroundings of The Old Operating Theatre.

We’ll laugh, cringe, cheer and we might even learn from our hilarious experts in looking after the amazing but stupid lumps of meat we call our bodies.

About the MC:

Dr Steve Cross isn’t a medical doctor, but he uses his academic title to get GP appointments more quickly. Since 2011 he has run Science Showoff, touring the UK to find funny experts and clever comedians to entertain wonderful audiences. His comedy work has featured on Radios 3, 4 and 5, as well as in the Guardian, Times and New York Times. This is a night that you do not want to miss out on!

About the event: 
-18:00-18:45: Hilarious Chapter 1

-18:45 -19:30 pm: -Music will play in the Herb Garret.
-The Apothecary Wine bar is opened. Drink tokens can be purchased at Front of House (Glass of wine/beer £5 and thematic cocktail £6).
-Workshop/Activities to take place in the Herb Garret.
-Time to look at the exhibitions. (Be advised that we do not allow any drinks in the Old Operating Theatre itself).

-19:30-20:15: Hilarious Chapter 2

-20:30 pm: Event ends, but you can continue the party at Amazing Grace below us if you are so inclided!

We are looking forward to welcoming you to this funny event!

And some other things…

NO Audio or Video recording allowed throughout the event. Photos welcomed!

*Access is through a 52-step spiral staircase. For more information go to Access. 

**Like our events? Join our monthly e-newsletter and be the first to know when tickets go on sale!

***All income from ticket sales goes to support the upkeep of the museum, a registered charity, and the collection.



In Conversation with Nursing Pioneers: The Health of the Next Generation

Royal College of Nursing Library & Heritage Centre

28th June 2023 | 6:00PM



Ever since Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole, nurses have blazed a trail in healthcare. They have pioneered improvements in practice, carried out cutting-edge research and advanced education. This event focuses on nursing for children and young people. Join a panel of RCN Fellows to explore how changes in health and medicine have affected the complex needs of young people, and how nursing research and practice has helped improve care.