Join leading heart surgeon Mr Francis Wells and his team as they perform the complex repair of a heart valve at Papworth Hospital, Cambridge. 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.

Francis Wells is one of the world's most experienced heart valve repair surgeons and will explain to the audience why preserving the natural heart valve, rather than replacing it with an artificial one, allows the heart to function more efficiently. And tonight you will see someone literally pulling at heart strings.

Francis Wells

Mr Wells has worked at Papworth and Addenbrooke's Hospitals as a Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon for 22 years since 1986. His specialist area of cardiac surgical interest is the management of all forms of heart valve disease. He has the most experience in the UK - and among the most in the world - of mitral valve reconstruction, with over 1500 cases completed.

Mr Wells was the surgeon who participated in the Live Surgery events at Wellcome Collection in 2007.

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 21.30 and the queue for admissions will open at 20.30.
• Latecomers will not be admitted.
• This event will not finish until 23.30 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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