Exploring the lived experiences of healthcare across four centuries.
‘Patient voices’ explores perspectives often overlooked in traditional medical histories;
How did it feel to survive an operation without anaesthesia? What did it mean to face the fear of an epidemic, or the pain of social stigma from certain medical conditions? What was it like to live with a life-limiting condition?
For centuries, histories of medicine have focused on famous doctors and scientific breakthroughs. However, many patient voices remain silent. Some were ignored, while others were never recorded.
Yet patients’ voices enrich our understanding of illness and care. They reveal experiences of healing and support – alongside frustration, exclusion and resistance. Listening to these voices also helps us better understand times when healthcare did not meet patients' needs and caused harm.
In partnership with a patient advocacy steering group, this exhibition brings together voices past and present. The group has shaped the exhibition through new artwork, oral histories, and by acting as a critical sounding board throughout its development. While this gallery represents only a fragment of a larger history, its purpose is to spark curiosity.
Visitors are invited to reflect: What does it mean to be a patient today? How should healthcare listen to, and learn from, lived experience?
Get a National Art Pass and explore Royal College of Physicians Museum
You'll see more art and your membership will help museums across the UK
Visitor information
Address
The Royal College Of Physicians, 11 St Andrews Place, Regents Park, London, Greater London, NW1 4LE
020 3075 1510
Opening times
Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm and until 8pm on the first Thursday of the month.
Closed the month of August for maintenance and conservation work, public holidays and for RCP major events and ceremonies. Please check the 'Closure dates’ on our website before planning your visit.
