A partnership between Wells Health and Holmewood House School is inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals.
More than 15 consultants, nurses, physiotherapists and healthcare support staff from Wells Health spent the day with year 8 pupils at Holmewood House School, giving them a rare opportunity to explore the world of healthcare beyond the classroom.
Through a series of hands-on workshops and interactive demonstrations, pupils met healthcare professionals working across a wide range of specialities, learning not only about different areas of medicine but also the people behind them. From learning about effective handwashing and trying keyhole surgery simulators to exploring heart health, physiotherapy and healthy lifestyles, the day offered a practical insight into the skills, teamwork and innovation that shape modern healthcare.
Wells Health is the private healthcare division of Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, providing care for insured and self-funding patients across Fordcombe, Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone Hospitals. Every pound generated through its services is reinvested into local NHS services, helping to support patient care across the Trust. The medical education day reflects Wells Health’s commitment to investing not only in healthcare today, but also in inspiring the workforce of tomorrow.
Throughout the day, pupils rotated through interactive sessions covering emergency care, cardiology, orthopaedics, breast health, physiotherapy, lifestyle medicine, nutrition and infection prevention. The workshops encouraged curiosity, questions and practical learning, giving pupils the chance to experience healthcare in a way that simply isn’t possible in the classroom alone.
Mr Nick Bowman, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Wells Health, who led one of the orthopaedic workshops, said, “One of the most rewarding parts of the day was seeing the pupils realise that medicine isn’t just something they read about in textbooks. Watching them suit up in surgery equipment, ask thoughtful questions and genuinely engage with the practical side of surgery was fantastic. Hopefully we’ve sparked an interest that stays with them long after they leave school.”
Peter O’Neill, Director of Clinical Services at Wells Health, commented, “Healthcare is one of the most rewarding careers someone can choose, but many young people never have the opportunity to see what happens behind the scenes. The medical education day was about opening that door. We wanted pupils to ask questions, try new experiences and realise that whether they become a doctor, nurse, physiotherapist, scientist or one of the many other professionals working in healthcare, there is a place for them. We hope this has inspired the next generation.”
Jo Gibson, Commercial Director at Wells Health, added, “This event perfectly demonstrates the strength of partnership working between education and healthcare. We are passionate about supporting our local community and creating opportunities that inspire young people while showcasing the incredible expertise within our organisation. The enthusiasm, curiosity and confidence shown by the pupils made the day a huge success, and we’re excited to see medical education day become an annual event.”
Simon Jervis, Assistant Head (Co-Curricular and Partnerships) at Holmewood House School, said: “We were delighted to welcome the medical professionals from Wells Health, who brought the many different facets of medicine to life for our children. Throughout the day, pupils were fully engaged, combining hands-on learning with plenty of enthusiasm and enjoyment.
We are extremely grateful to the organising team and to all the professionals who generously gave their time to share their expertise and work with the children. The keyhole surgery activity was a particular highlight and proved to be an absolute favourite.
This was a new venture for the school, and its success has reinforced our belief in the value of such experiences. We very much hope this will become a regular feature of our programme and look forward to welcoming Wells Health back next year.”
This medical education day is part of Wells Health’s wider commitment to supporting the communities it serves and encouraging more young people to consider careers in healthcare. By opening the doors to medicine beyond the hospital environment and connecting pupils with professionals working across a range of specialities, the event highlighted not only the science behind healthcare but also the compassion, collaboration and problem-solving that define it.
As Wells Health and Holmewood House School look ahead to future collaborations, there is a shared ambition for medical education day to become an annual event, giving more young people the opportunity to discover where a career in healthcare could take them.
