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Watch Emergency, coming soon to Channel 4. Celebrating our teams caring for major trauma patients

East Kent Hospitals staff to star in major new Channel 4 documentary

Natasha Newton sitting down, smiling

Published 17 February 2022

Staff at William Harvey and Kent and Canterbury hospitals are to star in a brand-new documentary series about major trauma care starting this month.

Emergency will be shown nightly on Channel 4 from Monday 28 February – Thursday 3 March, from 9-10pm.

The series shines a spotlight on London’s major trauma system and showcases the dramatic improvements in patients’ survival chances since the network was created over a decade ago.

Dr Tasha Newton, Major Trauma Director, who features in the series, said: “We are extremely proud to participate in this exciting new series. Emergency recognises the enormous team doctors, nurses, therapists, radiographers, porters, clerical staff and many others involved in helping people survive and recover from traumatic injuries.”

East Kent Hospitals was invited to participate in the series due to its excellent reputation for major trauma care and is the only regional trauma unit to feature in the series, alongside London’s four major trauma centres and London’s Air Ambulance.

Emergency brings to life how experts from the different hospitals work together to ensure patients have the best possible outcomes from what can be life-threatening or life-changing injuries.

Jonathan Leung standing with hands in pockets, smiling

TV crews spent two weeks filming at William Harvey Hospital (WHH) last summer following patients with traumatic injuries, including road traffic accidents and falls. Filming continued throughout last Autumn as patients continued their recovery locally, including at Kent and Canterbury and QEQM hospitals.

Susan Acott, Chief Executive said: “Heartfelt thanks to our patients and their loved ones for courageously sharing their experiences on camera, at what was for many of them, some of the very worst moments of their life.

“I also want to sincerely thank our fantastic, highly skilled teams for allowing cameras to film them 24/7 last summer. This new series brings to the fore their compassion and determination to do their best for each patient and I am immensely proud of them.”

Episodes 3 and 4 feature two east Kent patients who were both treated at William Harvey Hospital, then transferred to London for specialist care and later returned to east Kent for ongoing care.