Eight hundred years of health – from modern wartime medicine to the introduction of the National Health Service and how it affected the borough – is explored in a new exhibition.

Healthcare: In Sickness and In Health was launched at the Havering Museum by historian Brian Evans and Queen’s Hospital A&E Consultant, Amar Vasireddy, earlier this month.

Amusing

The exhibition, in High Street Romford, looks at the advancement in medicine from the herbalist to exhibits like defibrillators, medicine bags and stories from local residents who have been part of the health service.

It is the result of more than a year’s research by the exhibition team, Matthew Abel, Chloe Branwhite, Ian Browne, Carol Hutton and Brian Evans.

Visitors will also be able to see a film which introduces the National Health Service (1948) and an amusing vintage film on how to stop the spread of a cold.

Ellen Owen, director of Havering Museum, said: “Since the exhibition opened lots of people from the health service have come to see it and said it is really fascinating and brings back memories.

“Many people have enjoyed the two NHS films, which are very entertaining.

“Once again a lot of hard work has been put in by the exhibition team but the visitors seems to appreciate it.”

You can explore more about the history of healthcare through a programme of talks too.

The first was this week about War and Medicine and how people stay fit during the two World Wars.

The next is about the Unusual Experiences of a Paramedic on Thursday, February 14, from 7pm.

Retired paramedic and comic playwright John Newmeir will recount some of his humorous and unexpected experiences during his 17 years in the job.

Details of other talks can be found on www.haveringmuseum.org.uk

Tickets are £3.50 and can be obtained by visiting the Museum, at 19 High Street, Romford, by telephone, 01708 766571 or by e-mail on hmmarketing@btconnect.com

The exhibition runs from January 12 to March 23.