6 Things we learned from episode 1 of Hospital

The first episode of BBC 2 documentary series Hospital shocked us all.

Merseyside was glued to the TV this evening as BBC 2’s Hospital aired its first episode. We’re sure that most will agree, we never realised the Royal hospital was in such a state with regular flooding, electrical faults and staff struggling to manage without basic facilities.

The insight into the daily frustration of a huge city hospital falling apart, next to a brand new, state of the art facility that has stood empty and unfinished for 10 months, made our blood boil. Across the city, the story of Charlie and his family at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital shone light on pioneering surgery and treatments and hearing him say ‘home’ had us fighting back tears.

Every single person who works @RoyalLpoolHosps deserves a medal in my opinion. I’ve seen first hand how difficult conditions are for them, as have many of us, don’t know how they do it. Can’t wait to see them move #NewRoyal.

…And Charlie @AlderHey….❤️ #Hospital

— Jay Hynd (@JayHynd) 10 January 2019

There are no words to fully express our gratitude for our NHs staff and the every day miracles they perform in the most difficult and heart-breaking of circumstances.

Here’s 6 things we learned from watching episode 1 of Hospital….

1 – Thank You

There will never be enough or the right words to express how thankful we are for our NHS staff. In every hospital, across the region. Every single one of you, whatever your contribution, thank you so very much for everything that you do. Even our very own Jay Hynd says he owes his life to the staff at the Liverpool Royal Hospital, as you can see from the tweet above, like many of us in the city, he will be forever thankful.

2 – Charlie

Charlie is such an incredible little boy and hearing him say ‘home’ after successful surgery at Alder Hey made us sob tears of pure joy. His Dad hugging the specialist who broke the news that little Charlie was funded to go German for further treatment gave us all the feels. Just amazing.

3 – Carillion

Anyone not absolutely furious with Carillion? Literally no words for the complete and utter sh*t storm they have left behind.

New Royal Liverpool University Hospital Jayne Halloran

4 – Frustration, frustration, frustration

Understanding the frustrations of the Royal staff and getting so angry listening to the waiting times, bed shortages and how the clinicians are having to discharge patients and rearrange lists to save lives and make stark choices when  surgery is deemed non cost-effective.

5 – Bruce & Edward

From little Charlie with his whole life ahead of him, to Bruce and Edward, patients in their 80’s with a lust for life. Edward had waited more than 4 months for his vascular surgery, while Bruce was brought in from the Isle of Mann with an aneurysm and stroke symptoms. Both we’re operated on by Professor John Brennan and left for home with a smile.

6 – The Future Is Bright

The future is Royal. The Trust expects the new hospital is due for completion in 2020 with public funding paying for the rest of the development and we’re behind the staff counting down the days.

Make sure you’re watching episode 2, next Thursday BBC 2 at 9pm. If you missed it, click here to watch episode one on BBC Iplayer. 

We want to hear your thoughts on the first episode of BBC 2’s Hospital series. Get in touch on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram and use the hashtag #Hospital.