TWO hospital department will open their doors to the public to celebrate Healthcare Science Week.

The Medical Physics Departments in the Darlington Memorial Hospital and the University Hospital of North Durham will host interactive demonstrations by scientists who work in the NHS.

Those interested in a career in healthcare science and schoolchildren are invited to visit the departments operated by the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFRS).

Robyn Cooke, CCDFRS medical physicist, said: “Scientists and engineers in the NHS make a real difference to people’s lives and this is an opportunity for anyone to come along and find out more.

“We’ll be giving practical demonstrations and demystifying the work we do.

“For example, not many people know that we use small amounts of radioisotope tracers to find cancers or to see how your internal organs work.

“Staff from the department will give interactive and fun demonstrations. No appointment is necessary and the event is free.

“Schools are also very welcome and we hope to meet some of the scientists of the future.”

The department in Darlington Memorial Hospital will be open on Thursday, March 16, between 1pm and 5pm, while the University Hospital of North Durham’s department will be open between 1pm and 5pm on Friday, March 17.

For more information on arranging school visits, email contact robyncooke@nhs.net