What does your blood say about you?

Scientists at the NNUH will be on hand to demonstrate how blood groups are determined, what happens should you need blood in hospital and a look at how the blood clots. They will also be offering tours of their haematology, biochemistry, toxicology and blood transfusion department as part of the BA Festival of Science.

The tours will give visitors a chance to ask questions and to see how blood results are achieved using our analysers. Visitors will also have an opportunity to look down microscopes at actual blood cells both in normal and certain disease states.  In addition visitors will have a chance to see how drugs are screened and take a look at diabetes and glucose monitoring.  Tours will take place on Monday 4^th and Thursday 7^th & Friday 8^th September at 6pm – 7.15pm or 7.30 – 8.45pm. To reserve your place contact Rachel or Rebecca Cozens on 01603 287113 This is just one of the events that the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital is involved with as part of this festival. 

Other events are:
Cooking cancers: a recipe for success – Saturday 2^nd September 11.00am – 12.00pm and 2.00pm – 3.00pm at City College, Norwich
Radiologists from the NNUH will demonstrate how they destroy certain cancers by cooking them with a special needle.  Members of the audience are invited to cook a piece using this method known as BETA ablation.

Surely doctor knows best – Monday 4^th September 11.00 – 1.00pm at UEA
In light of treatment for cancers rapidly changing NNUH Oncologists will investigate how doctors can best explain the risk and potential benefit of new therapies?  How patients can be more involved in decisions and how does the government’s “Choice” agenda fit with what patients really want?

Why Day Surgery – Tuesday 5^th September 2.00pm – 5.00pm in the Day Procedure Unit at the NNUH
Over 70% of operations can be carried out on a day stay basis – This session will look at what are the advances in medicines that have enabled this revolution and why can day surgery be safer than inpatient care.  Come and join a panel of speakers at the forefront of day surgery who will endeavour to address these questions and more.

Do doctors have a future? – Wednesday 6^th September 6.15pm – 8.30pm in the Gooch lecture theatre at the NNUH
Join a debate into this question which lies at the heart of two medical professional bodies the King’s Fund and the Royal College of Physicians.

From flight simulators to computer-aided design: news techniques in cancer treatment – Thursday 7^th September 2.00pm – 6.00pm in the Gooch lecture theatre at the NNUH
NNUH Oncologists will be demonstrating how improvements in computing, physics and mathematics have benefited patients with cancer. After this session there will be a tour of the state of the art radiotherapy treatment facility in the Colney Centre at the NNUH.

Self-help for autoimmunity diseases, biological therapies in arthritis, cancer, skin and gut – Friday 8^th September 11.00 – 6.30pm in the Gooch lecture theatre at the NNUH
This event will cover the dramatic developments over the last decade in our understanding of inflammation and cancer and the use of new targets biologic therapies which have revolutionised the outcome in patients.

The BA Festival of Science is hosted by UEA, NRP and Norwich City Council, and will take place from 2-9 September 2006 in venues across the UEA, NRP and Norwich City.  To view the full programme of events or book tickets, visit www.the-ba.net.  Tickets can be booked online or by calling 020 7019 4963. The BA Festival of Science is supported by the East of England Development Agency.

 Notes to Editors:

1. For enquiries regarding this press release, please contact Hayley Gerrard, Communications Officer at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital on 01603 287200 or emailing communications@nnuh.nhs.uk

2. The BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) aims to promote openness about science in society and to engage and inspire people directly with science, technology and their implications.  Established in 1831, the BA organises major initiatives across the UK; these events include the annual BA Festival of Science and National Science Week.

3. University of East Anglia is committed to creating sustainable collaborative relationships with local, national and international organisations.  Private and public sector organisations can work with the university’s academic and research community through collaborative research projects, student placements, the licensing of UEA inventions and technologies for commercial use and the engagement of staff as expert consultants, advisors or trainers.

4. With nearly 9000 staff the Norwich Research Park (NRP) is home to one of Europe’s largest single-site concentration of life science research.  Occupants of the NRP include the University of East Anglia, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, and three independent research centres; the John Innes Centre, the Institute of Food Research and the Sainsbury Laboratory.  In addition the NRP is home to a growing number of businesses from within the life sciences and IT sectors.  The NRP is known for its world-class science but its major strength is the interconnectivity of the scientific research it undertakes and collaboration between key members.

5. Norwich City Council recognises that science is important to the city in economic, educational and cultural terms.  The Council seeks to facilitate cultural and creative developments that enhance both the quality of life for citizens and the wider role of the City and this event provides opportunities to experience current scientific thinking in an accessible and interesting way.  

6. The BA Festival runs from 2-9 September 2006.  Details of all events are available online at www.the-ba.net/festivalofscience Tickets for the main and city programme can be booked online or by calling 020 7019 4963.  Tickets for the 8-13 yr olds programme can be booked by calling 01603 450042.  Tickets for the 14-18 yr olds programme can be booked by calling 020 7019 4945.  Tickets for all festival events are also available from the Tourist Information Centre at The Forum, Norwich.