Join the Old operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garrets Engagement Manager Dr. Monica Walker as she demonstrates Surgery and speaks about the Victorian Operating Theatre.

This session will refer to the original architecture of the old operating theatre of the women's ward of St. Thomas’s Hospital created in 1822 in the attic of St Thomas' Church. Before the advent of anaesthesia, an operation had to be swift.

Without handwashing or antiseptics, the chance of later infection was high. You will experience this event from the point of view of a 19th century medical student, or maybe even the patient! Join our wonderful speakers as they take you back in time and explain the history of St Thomas' Hospital and the medical profession that will culminate in a mock demonstration of how surgery was done in the Victorian Era.

The original timber framed Herb Garret was once used to dry and store herbs for patients' medicines and in 1822 an operating theatre was included. Predating anaesthetics and antiseptics, it is the oldest surviving surgical theatre in Europe.

The Museum has an active calendar of events, education programmes and a lovely shop to support our work. The Museum is run by the Lord Brock Trust, a registered charity.

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Housed in the attic of the early eighteenth-century church of the old St Thomas’ Hospital, The Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret offers a unique insight into the history of medicine and surgery. The original timber framed Herb Garret was once used to dry and store herbs for patients’ medicines and in 1822 an operating theatre was included. Predating anaesthetics and antiseptics, it is the oldest surviving surgical theatre in Europe.