Teams at Royal Papworth and Addenbrooke’s hospitals in Cambridge star on BBC Two’s Surgeons: At the Edge of Life
The extraordinary work of surgical teams at the Royal Papworth and Addenbrooke’s hospitals will feature in the third BBC series of Surgeons: At the Edge of Life.
Operations from the two world-class research hospitals based on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus will be broadcast across four programmes on BBC Two every Tuesday throughout October.
The series was filmed during 2019 and early 2020, before the coronavirus pandemic, and every hour-long episode will feature two operations – one from each hospital – showcasing some of the most advanced and complex surgery carried out anywhere in the world.
Footage was shot from fixed rigs within operating theatres in order not to distract the operating teams.
Procedures filmed include a life-saving double lung transplant, cutting-edge neurosurgery and an 18-hour chest wall reconstruction involving teams from both hospitals.
David Jenkins, divisional director for surgery and transplant at Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are thrilled that the outstanding work of our staff is to be broadcast on the BBC.
“We carry out complex heart and lung operations every day, with some of the best outcomes internationally, and it is a great opportunity to show the public what we can achieve.
“We are very grateful to the patients who took part in this filming for sharing their experiences at such a critical time in their lives.”
James Wheeler, divisional director for surgery and colorectal surgeon at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust , added: “I am incredibly proud of the work undertaken by all our theatre staff here at Addenbrooke’s.
“The amazing operations highlighted in this series, which push the boundaries of medical possibilities, can only be achieved with a true team effort.
“A heartfelt thank you goes to our brave patients and their families for allowing in the cameras. We hope it brings hope to patients in similar circumstances and inspires others thinking of entering this field.”
The first episode of Surgeons: At the Edge of Life is on BBC Two on Tuesday, October 6 at 9pm.
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