Virtual View Day ensures 470 year-old tradition lives on
The coronavirus pandemic means that the event, the origins of which date as far back as the Middle Ages, is very different this year.
Virtual celebrations are taking place to mark the 470th View Day.
The event, first held 1551, is traditionally an opportunity for the local community around St Bartholomew’s Hospital in the City of London to tour its buildings and hear about its achievements in the previous 12 months.
The origins of View Day date back to the Middle Ages when patients were walked through the streets of London to encourage Londoners to donate to the cities hospitals.
The coronavirus pandemic means many of the usual activities that take place on View Day in modern times, including a church service and reception in the Great Hall, cannot go ahead.
Despite being miles apart, staff and supporters are still finding ways to mark the day, which, in its near 500 year history, has never been cancelled.
Messages of support are being shared on social media using the the hashtag #ViewDay20, and a special film has been produced by the trust museum and archives service, which explores the history of the day and is being displayed on screens throughout the hospital.
Group chief executive Alwen Williams said: “Although we’re not able to celebrate together this year, we can reflect on the critical role that St Bartholomew’s Hospital has in caring for patients during this Covid pandemic.
“We have witnessed the very best of humanity in the face of adversity. The compassion and care for our patients has been second to none.”
Chair of Barts Health NHS Trust Ian Peters said: "Throughout the past 900 years, St Bartholomew's has been an exemplar of clinical innovation and patient care."
At St Bartholomew’s Hospital, fresh fruit and other treats are being delivered to staff, many of whom have been caring for Covid patients since the outbreak began, and ice cream is also being served in the historic hospital square, with all staff asked to follow strict social distancing rules.
In a message to staff, hospital chief executive Charles Knight, who is currently seconded to the Nightingale Hospital, said: “View Day is an incredibly important day for us, so it’s vital that we celebrate it.
“Thank you all so much, not only for everything you do on a regular basis for patients at St Bartholomew’s, but in particular for the amazing response to the pandemic.
“You have really risen to the challenge.”
Other highlights from the day include:
- Take a virtual tour of some of the amazing art installations at St Bartholomew's Hospital with Jessica Shiel from Vital Arts
- Medical Director Edward Rowland explores View Day during past pandemics, including the Spanish 'flu of 1918
- Find out more about the role of nurses on View Day with Merryl Lawrenson from the Barts League of Nurses
- Will Palin from Barts Heritage provides an update on plans to restore the hospital’s historic North Wing ahead of the hospital's 900th anniversary in 2023
- Read about the origins of View Day and how the event has evolved over almost 900 years.
Messages of support
View a selection of video messages from staff and supporters on View Day.
And on Twitter:
Today marks the first virtual @BartsHospital View Day. The event, which began in the 16th century, sees @Barts_Charity and the Trust present achievements of the past year and plans for the future. Read more: https://t.co/g41yBiM05R pic.twitter.com/MJ7kk27B8l
— Lord Mayor of London (@citylordmayor) May 13, 2020
Today should have been the 470th View Day @BartsHospital and @Barts_Charity. I’m sorry I can’t be there to say thank to you to the staff & volunteers for the extraordinary work they are doing now and have been doing for so long. Here’s a message for #ViewDay20 pic.twitter.com/V3t1opDAjV
— Alderman Vincent Keaveny (@VincentKeaveny) May 13, 2020
View day in early 90’s when I was an A&E sister, great fun and teamwork @BartsHospital #ViewDay20 #StaySafe pic.twitter.com/z9jkfLCQYH
— Lorraine Grover (@lekgrover) May 13, 2020