OPERATION: LIVE AUSTRALIA’S RISKIEST TV SHOW
Could you imagine giving birth on national television or undergoing open-heart surgery knowing that millions of people will be watching?
Well, that’s exactly what two brave people are doing on Channel Seven’s groundbreaking new show Operation: Live.
Over two massive nights, Australia will tune in to watch an open-heart surgery and a caesarean birth happen live on television.
Successful cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Nikki Stamp will be joining the show to commentate on the two operations as they happen in real time.
Of course, the question on everyone’s lips is: what will happen if something goes wrong?
“We can say with utter certainty with regards to the surgery and the production that every possible contingency has been thought of and put into place and we are all satisfied,” Nikki tells New Idea.
“The patients’ safety is always at the forefront of our minds no matter what’s going on.”
To ensure that everything runs smoothly on the day, every detail – down to where the cameras can and can’t go – has been rigorously planned.
For Nikki this role means a great deal. She is only one of 11 female cardiac surgeons in Australia.
“There’s been a lot of gender bias in the medical profession,” Nikki says.
“There are things that are slowly changing and we are seeing more women coming through surgical training, but we are still a long way off equalling the numbers.”
She aims to break down stereotypes and show young girls around the world that they can do and be whatever it is they dream of.
“I get the opportunity to show that you don’t have to look a certain way to do a certain job,” Nikki says.
“I get letters from little girls and they say they saw me somewhere and thank me for showing them that it can be done. I have those letters pinned above my desk because they are so sweet.”
And Nikki will certainly get to highlight her amazing skills as a commentator on Operation: Live.
“I think this is such a wonderful opportunity to show the Australian public the amazing work that goes on in our hospitals every single day in this country.”