Drivers and representatives from the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) brought plenty of smiles to Darlington Memorial Hospital during a special visit ahead of the championship’s race weekend at nearby Croft Circuit.
The group visited on Friday 4 September, spending time with patients, visitors and colleagues and learning more about the work of teams across the hospital.
The afternoon began with a meet and greet in Hollies Restaurant, where patients, visitors and staff had the chance to chat with the drivers, take photographs and collect merchandise.
The group then visited Ward 31, Trauma and Orthopaedics, where they spent time talking with patients and colleagues.
Among those they met was Dale Coulthard, who revealed during the conversation that his uncle is former Formula One driver David Coulthard.
Despite the family connection to motorsport, Dale admitted he had not previously followed the BTCC – although the visit may have changed that.
Dale said:
“This really made my day. I wasn’t particularly into touring car racing before, but I think they may have convinced me to give it a watch. I may have found a new sport!
“I really appreciated the drivers taking the time to come into the hospital and speak to patients. It was a lovely surprise and really brightened up my day.”
The team explained how the department operates, how samples move through the service and are analysed, and some of the science behind blood and the information it can provide to support diagnosis, treatment and monitoring.
Nicola McKeague, Blood Sciences Department Manager at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“It was fantastic to welcome the British Touring Car Championship to Darlington Memorial Hospital and to see the positive reaction from patients and colleagues throughout the afternoon.
“The drivers and team representatives were incredibly generous with their time and showed a genuine interest in the people they met and the work taking place across the hospital.
“We were particularly pleased to welcome them into Pathology and give them an insight into what happens behind the scenes. Our team put a lot of work into the visit, talking through how the department operates, how samples are processed and analysed, and some of the science behind blood and the information it can provide to support patient care.
“It was a really enjoyable opportunity to showcase the work of our colleagues, and we’re very grateful to everyone from the BTCC for taking the time to visit us.”
Simon Melluish, BTCC Communications Director, said:
“It was a privilege to visit Darlington Memorial Hospital and spend time with patients and staff.
“We came hoping to bring a bit of enjoyment to people’s day, but visits like this are incredibly rewarding for us too. It was fascinating to see some of the work that goes on behind the scenes and to meet so many people who contribute to looking after patients.
“The welcome we received was brilliant and we’d like to thank everyone at the hospital for having us.”
The visit took place ahead of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Croft Circuit on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 September.
