In 2023, the College hosts a dedicated creative writing group working with the collection. The project will see new poetry, prose and hybrid writing reflecting growing interest in medical humanities and writing on health.

Bones, Breath, Delinquents, Death

From March to June 2023 a series of workshops at the College will explore the archives in sessions led by writer and editor Dr Gillean McDougall and the Heritage team. Historic items from the collection will encourage discussion and new writing. We’ll be looking at current publications where creative writing and medical humanities elide, and guest speakers will reveal their own areas of specialist interest.

The group includes writers of prose and poetry, artists, medical professionals, academic writers and current students. A pamphlet of work produced by the prescription will be launched at a public event at the College in October 2023, and there will also be an open competition for creative writing on the collection, which will be advertised in due course.

A pamphlet of work produced by the prescription will be launched at a public event at the College in October 2023, and the prescription will also host an open competition for creative writing which will be advertised in due course. The pamphlet will be designed to incorporate a submission from every writer taking part in ‘the prescription,’ and will represent the work undertaken in the project.

Be sure to check the heritage blog and heritage twitter account (@rcpsgheritage) for regular updates on the workshops and how to enter the competition later in the year.