Mediwitch

A Mediwitch or Mediwizard is a witch or wizard who specializes in the magical medical field, serving as the magical equivalent of a Muggle nurse or paramedic. The term is most prominently used to describe the matron of the Hogwarts Hospital Wing, Madam Poppy Pomfrey. The more formal and general term for a magical medical professional, akin to a doctor, is Healer. These individuals possess extensive knowledge of Healing Magic, Potions, and the treatment of magical ailments and injuries, ranging from common accidents to the effects of Dark Magic.

The primary responsibility of a Mediwitch or Healer is the diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients suffering from magical maladies. Their skills are essential for repairing damage that would be permanent or fatal in the non-magical world.

• Healing Magic: They are proficient in a wide array of healing spells, such as `Episkey` for minor injuries and complex counter-charms for more serious afflictions. Their work often involves mending broken bones, neutralizing poisons, and treating bites from magical creatures.
• Potions and Remedies: A deep understanding of medicinal Potions is crucial. This includes administering remedies like `Skelegro` to regrow bones, `Pepperup Potion` for the common cold, and using substances like Murtlap Essence and Dittany for wounds.
• Diagnosis: Mediwitches must accurately identify the magical cause of an injury, whether it stems from a faulty potion, a misfired spell, a creature attack, or a dark curse.
• Long-Term Care: For severe cases, such as the permanent magical damage inflicted upon Neville Longbottom's parents, Frank and Alice Longbottom, or the psychological trauma of Gilderoy Lockhart, Healers provide ongoing care in specialized facilities like St. Mungo's.
• Limitations: Despite their considerable power, there are limits to magical healing. Scars from certain dark curses, like the one on Albus Dumbledore's hand or the ones inflicted on Bill Weasley by Fenrir Greyback, cannot be fully removed. Similarly, minds shattered by powerful curses cannot be restored.

• Poppy Pomfrey: The long-serving matron and Mediwitch of the Hogwarts Hospital Wing, known for her strict but caring demeanor and exceptional healing skills.
• Dilys Derwent: A former Hogwarts Headmistress (1741-1768) who was also a celebrated Healer at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. Her portrait hangs in both locations.
• Hippocrates Smethwyck: A Healer-in-Charge at St. Mungo's during Arthur Weasley's recovery from Nagini's attack.
• Augustus Pye: A Trainee Healer at St. Mungo's who was interested in “complementary medicine” involving Muggle stitches.
• Miriam Strout: A Healer at St. Mungo's who was in charge of the “Janus Thickey Ward” for permanent spell damage and was reprimanded for failing to prevent an attack on Broderick Bode.

Mediwitches and Healers are primarily employed in dedicated magical healthcare institutions.

• Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry: The Hospital Wing is staffed by a resident Mediwitch to provide immediate care for students and staff.
• St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries: The main wizarding hospital in Great Britain, located in London. It employs a large staff of Healers specializing in different branches of magical medicine.

The term “Mediwitch” is a portmanteau.

• Medi-: A prefix derived from the Latin word medicus, meaning “physician” or “doctor.”
• -witch: A suffix denoting a female practitioner of magic.

The gender-neutral and more common professional title appears to be “Healer.”

• Healers at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries are depicted wearing lime-green robes (Pottermore).