Award-winning BBC Two documentary Hospital returns to The Walton Centre

BBC Two has announced that Label1 will be returning to Merseyside for series five of award-winning documentary series Hospital this month. Filming at The Walton Centre and across several Trusts in Liverpool, the programme will air on BBC Two next year.

Hospital is one of BBC Two’s flagship documentary series and the response to series four was overwhelmingly positive, with an average of 2.2 million viewers watching each episode. The series – and the hospital staff and patients featured - received widespread critical acclaim, and there was a genuine impact, from the incredible response of viewers at home to a 2,218% surge in the number of people signing up to be organ donors*.

Hospital will continue to unveil the work that goes on at some of the country’s largest and highly specialised NHS Trusts to ensure patients get the best possible care, as well as the challenges and pressures they face at a time when the NHS continues to be under scrutiny. 

The series has previously filmed at the Imperial College Healthcare Trust London and Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and last year, across six Trusts in Liverpool.

Filming is due to take place from late October, concentrating on clinical areas, patient stories and behind the scenes access.

Patrick Holland, BBC Two Controller, said: “Hospital encapsulates BBC Two’s mission. The best film-making, about the biggest stories affecting people, brought to the audience with urgency and great humanity. I’m delighted to announce its return.” 

Clare Sillery, Head of Commissioning in Documentaries, said: “Hospital is essential viewing. It has been a game-changing series for BBC Two, winning an RTS Award and bringing the audience the most urgent and important stories from the frontline of the NHS today. I am delighted we’ll be returning to Merseyside for this series and I’d like to thank the hospital trusts, staff and patients across Liverpool for their extraordinary commitment and openness in making the series.”

Jackie Waldock, Executive Producer, Label1, says: ‘We are honoured and excited to be returning to Liverpool to make the fifth series of Hospital with the Trusts, staff and patients throughout the city. We look forward to revealing compelling new stories that shine a light on the extraordinary work of the NHS.”

Hayley Citrine, Chief Executive of The Walton Centre, said: “The latest series shows some truly exceptional examples of the NHS working hard for patients and families. We’re excited to have the team back to show viewers how The Walton Centre is bringing outstanding care to patients day to day.”

Steve Warburton, Chief Executive of Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and chair of the North Mersey A&E Delivery Board, which includes all of Liverpool’s trusts, said: “We are delighted that Hospital is returning to make another series, which comes after the success of the last series filmed in Liverpool. There is some incredible work going on across our city, which is saving and improving the lives of our patients, carried out by thousands of dedicated and talented staff. We are working together to continue to improve the healthcare we offer and viewers will be able to see both the challenges and rewards that working in our NHS brings.”

Hospital, a 8x60’ series for BBC Two, is made by Label1 Television. It was commissioned by Patrick Holland, Controller, BBC Two and Clare Sillery, Head of Commissioning, Documentaries. The Commissioning Editors are Hamish Fergusson and Emma Loach. The Executive Producers are Jackie Waldock, Eric Harwood & Lorraine Charker-Phillips for Label 1 Television.

Source: NHS Blood and Transport, 8 February 2019: https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/get-involved/news/organ-donation-on-bbc-hospital-leads-to-huge-increase-in-sign-ups/