Primary school pupils have played healthcare workers and adult patients in short public health information films about some common ailments in an innovative collaboration with North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT).
Filton Avenue Primary School and NBT, which runs Southmead Hospital, have worked together on the videos, which are being shared publicly on social media and through the school’s internal network for parents.
The videos focus on some common ailments where people sometimes aren’t sure what to do or which NHS service will be the best to use to help with their needs. These include coughs, sneezes and sore throats; diarrhoea and vomiting; fevers; and twisted or sprained ankles.
In the videos Year One pupils play an adult patient, such as “Mr Hurt Ankle” or “Mr Cold”, and they’re seen by a Year Five pupil acting as a doctor or a pharmacist who gives advice taken from the national NHS.uk website.
Dr Sam Patel, Medical Director for Medical Workforce at NBT, said: “In the NHS we’re always looking at new ways to help ensure people know the best service to help them when they’re ill or suffer an injury. Adults often listen to children, so having the help of Year One and Year Five pupils at Filton Avenue Primary School to deliver public health messages is fantastic.
“Thanks to the staff and parents at the school for supporting the filming, and to all of the pupils who took part – they’d clearly learned their lines, got into their parts and are future superstars.”
Gemma Kirk, Assistant Headteacher at Filton Avenue Primary School, added: “The children loved being involved in this health campaign and it has been a fantastic experience collaborating with the NHS team. Not only did the children learn about how to manage the symptoms of common ailments, it also provided a brilliant opportunity for the children to be in front of the camera, using their speaking and listening skills.”
You can view the four videos on the NBT website, and on the Trust’s social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and X using the links on the bottom of the homepage of the website www.nbt.nhs.uk
If you think you need medical help but aren’t sure which service to use please visit the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Healthier Together website.