Nestling project to feature in TV show

DUNDALK IT-LED PROJECT TO FEATURE ON NEW RTE PROGRAMME

THE Nestling Project in Dundalk is to feature in a major new ‘warts-and-all’ documentary on RTE TV that will give viewers ‘unprecedented access to every aspect of the country’s health service’.

But ‘Keeping Ireland Alive: The health service in a day’ debuts on RTÉ One on Monday, August 29 at 9.35pm, will not feature action from one of the busiest emergency departments in the country at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda or from the Louth County Hospital in Dundalk.

Produced by Independent Pictures for RTÉ, the new documentary saw 75 camera crews sent to locations nationwide. Filming was carried out over a 24-hour period on May 31 this year.

Crews were given access to all aspects of the health service, with the co-operation of the Health Service Executive, hospitals and community services throughout the country. Patients and staff generously allowed cameras to witness some of their most personal moments at the coalface of the Irish health service.

The Nestling Project promotes independent living for older people and supports older people to make choices about services that they need and assists people with form filling and accessing a wide range of voluntary social and health services. They advocate for older people ensuring their voices are heard. They strengthen local community by organising social activities requested by older people whom they visit.

Channel controller for RTÉ One and RTÉ2, Adrian Lynch said: ‘Keeping Ireland Alive: The health service in a day was a huge undertaking, the result is a series that is incredibly moving but also gives viewers an unparalleled insight into the workings of Ireland’s health service.

‘ This is a warts-and-all documentary series that recognises the great work being carried out on the ground by frontline staff but which is unflinchingly honest in acknowledging that the system isn’t perfect’.

From equine therapy for people with disabilities to public health nurses visiting rural bachelors through to major life-and-death surgeries, Keeping Ireland Alive: The health service in a day witnesses people’s everyday struggles and triumphs, first hand. The result is a remarkable snapshot of a vast workplace and, through it, contemporary Irish life.

Managing director of Independent Pictures, Conor Moloney said: “It was a privilege to film Keeping Ireland Alive: The health service in a day. Through intimate access we witnessed people’s lives being saved or changed forever. Some of what we saw was very profound but this series also celebrates and explores the everyday ways the health service touches us all.”

‘Keeping Ireland Alive: The health service in a day’ starts on RTÉ One on Monday, August 29 at 9.35pm and will air throughout September.