King's College London

Four days of events were held at Guy’s Campus to mark the occasion – bringing together interactive health, education and community-led activities, and culminating with a service of thanksgiving at Southwark Cathedral.

The celebrations reflected on the historic partnership between King’s and Guy’s, and the present-day research between the two organisations addressing modern healthcare challenges. From a tour of the Old Operating Theatre Museum to a demonstration of a pioneering robot used in urological surgery, the activities spanned hundreds of years of accomplishments.

Under the theme “300 years of caring for the community”, events began at the Science Gallery Courtyard, with interactive stalls and exhibitions providing hands-on simulations, student-led exhibitions, public talks, and creative work reflecting patient experience.

King’s also opened its doors for CPR demonstrations at SaIL Centre, a state-of-the-art training facility for undergraduate Medical, Nursing, Midwifery, Physiotherapy, Nutrition and dental students.

The final day was dedicated to invited secondary school pupils, extending the anniversary programme into future generations of healthcare professionals. A service led by the Bishop of Southwark at Southwark Cathedral, followed by afternoon tea and academic symposium in the grounds of Guy's Hospital, drew events to a close.

Since King’s College London was founded in 1829, it has benefited from a close history with Guy’s Hospital – from a shared campus in the heart of London, to medical education and partnerships between academics and clinicians.

The position of Guy’s Campus, located directly beside Guy’s Hospital, provides key teaching and practical experience for medical, nursing and dental students alike, serving faculties across the university.

Throughout the 1800s and 1900s King’s and Guy’s medical schools were separated, but by the turn of the Millenium the schools merged. Since then, the GKT School of Medical Education has trained thousands of doctors, with around 400 new students enrolling on the standard MBBS programme each year.

Professor Ajay Shah, Executive Dean, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, said: "You only have to step onto the Guy's campus to get a sense of its rich history of discovery and clinical innovation. On this 300th anniversary, we have much to celebrate in terms of the breadth and depth of excellence across Life Sciences and Health research and education, where this year we are #9 in the QS world university rankings. Examples include exciting advances in the application of AI and engineering to medicine, drug discovery and population health, as well as new educational programmes and transnational partnerships."

Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust also provides clinical placements for around 600 nursing and midwifery students from King’s College London and London South Bank University each year. Nursing education on the site dates to Florence Nightingale, who founded the world’s first professional nursing school at St Thomas’ in 1860. King’s Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care also leads on excellent and impactful research which aims to transform health and care – from maternal health to end-of-life care.

For King’s dental students, Guy’s Hospital provides clinical training – operated through the King’s College London Dental Institute, one of the largest dental education centres in the UK. Research based at the Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences spans areas such as antimicrobial resistance, head and neck cancers and gum disease – strengthened by the faculty’s location within Guy’s Tower, Guy’s Hospital.

King’s and Guy’s Hospital are also united as part of King’s Health Partners (KHP) – a partnership between King’s and three local hospitals, which brings together patients, academics, industry, and health and social care professionals.

To provide recognition of Guy's Hospital reaching the landmark of 300 years of health care provision, training and research, a Guy's 300th Fund will be established, offering support to health care students from diverse backgrounds. The fund seeks to maintain the history of excellence in innovation, emanating from Guy's, long into the future. The fund will be distributed through the Health Faculties of King's College London.