This operation is keyhole surgery to repair a hiatus hernia - where a small section of the stomach has pushed up through the opening of the diaphragm. The surgeon - Mr Richard Hardwick from Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge - will use a camera to see what he is doing as only tiny incisions are made in the patient's abdomen for instruments. From the comfort of Wellcome Collection you will be able to watch the surgery in close detail, ask questions of the team and find out more about the science and medicine behind the operation. The surgery will be streamed live to Wellcome Collection and broadcast on Channel 4, so you will be part of the TV studio audience too.

During the operation the surgeon will explain how the keyhole technique has revolutionised this type of surgery as well as presenting new challenges such as positioning stitches (and judging distance) using a 2D image.

Richard Hardwick

Richard Hardwick is a Consultant General Surgeon at Addenbrooke's Hospital, and Lead Clinician for Upper GI Cancer at the Cambridge Oesophago-Gastric Centre.

He is currently one of the Lead Investigators for the National Oesophago-Gastric Cancer Audit, a three-year audit project sponsored by the Healthcare Commission. He was a Consultant in Cardiff before moving to Cambridge, did his surgical training in South-west England and was an undergraduate at St Thomas' Hospital in London, qualifying in 1986.

Important notice

• This event is suitable for ages 14+.

• Seating is unreserved and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Receipt of an e-ticket does not guarantee a seat. You are encouraged to arrive in good time; the temporary exhibition galleries and the café will be open throughout the day until 22.00 and the queue for admissions will open at 21.00.

• Latecomers will not be admitted.

• This event will not finish until 00.00 and due to the filming of the event visitors will be unable to leave before the end. See information on late-night transport [PDF 48KB].

Please note that parts of this event will be broadcast live on Channel 4 and that the studio audience may appear. In return for access to the event, you irrevocably consent to the filming and live streaming on Channel 4 and the Channel 4 website and you also consent to the Wellcome Trust reproducing and publishing your words in any transcript of or publication relating to this event.

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