Hospital returns to our screens with a first-hand experience of the pandemic

Tonight, sees the return of the award-winning Hospital, the eye-opening, fly-on-the-wall series that follows the heroic men and women on the COVID-19 pandemic frontline. Co-produced by the BBC and The Open University’s Broadcast and Partnerships team, the five-week series airs at 9pm on BBC Two and focuses on London’s Royal Free Trust, a world-leader in the treatment of infectious diseases and one of the biggest NHS trusts in the country.

Episode one explores the impact on patients at Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital and the Royal Free Hospital, as staff are forced to prioritise the growing demand of the national pandemic. Filmed during August of this year, the series shines a light on the human stories behind the headlines, as we witness the tireless and courageous work of those inside the crisis.

OU Academic Consultants, Cathy Lloyd, Professor of Health Studies and Julie Messenger, Professional Lead for Nursing have been involved advising and shaping the script.

Julie commented:

“Professor Cathy Lloyd and I have had the great pleasure in again working with the BBC as Academic Consultants for the upcoming sixth series of ‘Hospital’. The original intention of this series was to showcase the recovery of the NHS following the pandemic, but with COVID-19 still causing havoc across the world, the focus instead turned to following the three hospitals as they retain some semblance of ‘normal’ working.

“This series is fascinating with unrestricted filming taking place across the trust. The patient profiles will bring tears to your eyes, as will the commitment of the NHS workforce who have to constantly adapt to practise their skills in the workplace.”