Levi Roots joins St Thomas' Hospital open day

Nearly 50 stalls were situated throughout the hospital and visitors had the chance to try patient meals, make a filling for teeth and get their arm put in a temporary plaster.

"The open day was wonderful and I am truly grateful to all the staff who worked hard to make it a big success," says Patricia Moberly, chairman of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust.

"I'm well aware of all the effort, planning and support from the many teams and individuals involved which went into the event.

"This annual occasion for patients and the local community is valued and appreciated by all the visitors who join us on the day."

The Emergency Zone was a particular hit with the children and ambulances and fire engines were inundated with little ones beeping the horns and trying out the fire hose.

One patient, Fiona Blakemore from Clapham, said: "I'm really impressed with how enthusiastic the staff are about their work and the hospital has done so much to make the day entertaining and interactive, particularly for the children."

The Dental Polyclinic was the winner of the best stall competition. The team put together a display of all things dental and engaged their visitors with a quiz about oral hygiene, how fillings work and advice on brushing and flossing.

As well as learning how to look after skin in the sun, managing allergies and getting advice on fitness and well-being, visitors were treated to an array of entertainment including belly dancing, a steel band, face painting and balloon modelling.

Meanwhile, at the newly refurbished Florence Nightingale Museum in the grounds of the hospital, Christine Hallett, director of the Centre for the History of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Manchester, gave a talk celebrating nursing history. She then signed copies of her new book Celebrating Nurses in the museum's shop.

More than 50 visitors signed up to the Organ Donor Register at the NHS Blood and Transplant stall.

The day was officially launched by the Mayor of Lambeth Dr Neeraj Patil and local entrepreneur Levi Roots of Reggae Reggae sauce and Dragon's Den fame. Levi said: "A great deal of effort was put into the day by everyone involved and the passion was clear for all to see."