Hunterian Museum hosts first UK screening of body donation documentary

The Hunterian Museum at the Royal College of Surgeons is to hold the first, and only, UK screening of Dr Paul Trotman’s body donation documentary Donated to Science on Thursday 13th January 2011 at 7pm. The film explores what happens after a person chooses to donate their body to medical science by following a group of medical students training at the University of Otago Medical School in New Zealand.

The 78 minute film intersperses clips of anatomy classes in the dissecting room with interviews of donors prior to their death, addressing their reasons for donation and how their family and friends feel about their decision. The medical students also provide a commentary, describing their attitude towards working with cadavers, and what they learn from anatomy sessions.

Dr Paul Trotman, a GP and director of the documentary said: “First and foremost I wanted to make an interesting film that took people to a place they had never been, and which turned their expectations on their head. I think we managed it, people expect a film showing dissection, what they don’t expect is to see something so beautifully shot and to get so caught up in the emotional side of it. Because of my medical background I also wanted it to be accurate and true to the subject and to treat the subjects in a way that would make them proud of the result. I think we’ve managed that too.”

Professor Susan Standring, Anatomy Development Tutor at the Royal College of Surgeons said: “This film provides an account of body donation from an unusual perspective. The overall messages from this film are important: the fundamental value to medical students of learning three- dimensional anatomy through practical sessions on cadavers in the dissecting room and the respect and gratitude the medical profession has for those individuals who choose to donate their bodies to medical science and education.”

To reserve a place at the free film screening of Donated to Science please call 020 7869 6560 or visit the Hunterian Museum section for further information.

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Notes to Editor

1. The Royal College of Surgeons of England is committed to enabling surgeons to achieve and maintain the highest standards of surgical practice and patient care. Registered charity number: 212808.
   
2. The Hunterian Museum at the Royal College of Surgeons of England is based on the collections of the 18th-century surgeon John Hunter. Its permanent displays include over 3,500 specimens of human and animal anatomy and pathology, as well as exhibitions about surgery and medicine. The museum is open to all and admission is free.
   
3. Preview clips of the documentary Donated to Science; stills from the film are available on request.
4. If you have any queries please contact:
   -               Matthew Worrall                  - Email: mworrall@rcseng.ac.uk ; T: 020 7869 6047
   -               Elaine Towell                       - Email: etowell@rcseng.ac.uk ; T: 020 7869 6045
   -               Heather Casey                     - Email: hcasey@rcseng.ac.uk ; T: 020 7869 6042
   -               Out-of-hours: 07966 486 832