Watch Keeping Britain Alive

Keeping Britain Alive: The NHS in a Day is a documentary series that aired on BBC Two in 2013 and 2014. The show presented an intimate and unique perspective into the workings of the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom by following the staff who work tirelessly to keep the service running, day in and day out.

The show's format was simple but effective: cameras were placed in 24 different locations across the UK, capturing the daily routines of the NHS staff working in hospitals, GP surgeries, ambulances, and clinics. The footage was then condensed into a single day, giving viewers a snapshot of the scale of operations and the variety of patients being treated across the country.

Throughout the series, viewers were introduced to a vast array of NHS staff including doctors, nurses, paramedics, midwives, and surgeons, and shown how their work impacted the lives of patients at different stages of life. From the delivery of babies to cancer care, accidents and emergencies to appointments for mental health, Keeping Britain Alive covered a wide range of medical scenarios.

One episode showed a day in the life of a busy Accident & Emergency department in North London. Viewers were able to witness the various departments of the A&E, including the resuscitation room, the paediatric section, and the assessment unit. The cameras captured the harried and frenzied pace of work, where staff suddenly had to switch between providing urgent medical attention and consoling distraught patients and families.

In another episode, viewers were shown the transformational effect of medical science on one family's life. The story followed a liver transplant operation, with cameras taking us into the operating theatre where surgeons worked skillfully to replace the diseased liver of one man, along with his life-saving journey from the intensive care unit to being played concerto on the piano with his son.

The show also took the viewers to remote and rural parts of the UK, exploring the challenges faced by NHS staff in these areas. One episode showed how NHS Scotland coped during harsh winter conditions, with doctors and nurses working diligently to provide healthcare services in the face of adversity.

What makes Keeping Britain Alive unique is the level of access it gives viewers into the inner workings of the NHS, demonstrating why it is known as the 'national treasure' in the UK. Viewers were shown the intense pressure under which NHS staff work, often on long shifts with few breaks between them.

Patients and their families expressed their gratitude towards the NHS staff throughout the show, thanking them for their professionalism, commitment, and compassion. The show not only showcased the inner workings of the NHS but also shed light on the humanity of those who work within it.

At the heart of the show is the idea that the NHS is not just another service, but rather the lifeblood of the nation. Keeping Britain Alive sought to demonstrate the importance of the NHS, not only for the medical care it delivers but also for the wider social good it provides. The show resonated with audiences across the UK as they were provided with a glimpse of what it takes to keep the nation alive with both humility and respect for the work the NHS does.

Overall, Keeping Britain Alive: The NHS in a Day was a profound and enlightening documentary that left viewers with a deeper understanding of the NHS and the people who work within this critical institution. In a world where we often take the NHS for granted, this show highlighted its crucial role and illustrated how much we rely on it. If you are looking for an intimate and inspiring portrayal of the NHS, then Keeping Britain Alive is a must-watch.