The team behind the BAFTA-nominated documentary series, Hospital, is returning to the Royal Free London (RFL).
The producers, Label1, will be filming a one-off episode that will take a look at how we’re responding, nearly two years after we started admitting patients with COVID-19.
We're the only trust to have worked with Label1 on Hospital on three separate occasions. They previously filmed a BAFTA-nominated, two-part special in March 2020 – filmed from the day lockdown started in England – and returned for a six-part series which was broadcast in December 2020.
Both previous series explored the human stories behind the headlines as we faced the unprecedented challenge of delivering healthcare amid the pandemic.
This new episode, which is due to air in early Spring on BBC Two, will explore how the trust is keeping elective work going, despite the many challenges of COVID-19 and the usual winter pressures felt on the NHS.
The crews will be following strict trust infection control and health and safety rules at all times and will be wearing appropriate PPE.
Royal Free London group chief executive Caroline Clarke said: “We are delighted to be able to welcome the Label1 team back to the Royal Free London. It’s another fantastic opportunity for us to showcase the phenomenal patient care provided by staff day in day out across the trust, and across the entire NHS.
“It’s a testament to the incredible commitment and dedication of our staff that the producers are keen to return to the trust for a third time.”
Emma Loach, commissioning editor for BBC Documentaries, said: “Our first Hospital special, filmed during the first peak of the pandemic, gave an extraordinary insight into the frontline battle against Covid-19. I’m delighted that we are returning to the Royal Free London two years on to discover how staff are continuing to respond to another incredibly challenging winter.”
Label1 co-founder Lorraine Charker-Phillips said: “It’s a privilege to be invited back to the Royal Free London to document the story of this winter in one of the country’s largest hospital trusts.”
The six-part series of Hospital involving the Royal Free London (series six) is being repeated on Britbox from 20 January.