What to watch
The Big Hospital Experiment
“Some have got it, some haven’t” is the neat conclusion from ward sister Crystal on the 14 young volunteers at the Royal Derby Hospital. We’re now into the second week of this social care programme designed to ease pressure on overworked NHS staff, and based on a German model – and the strain on participants is starting to show. For many, the emotional toll of the work outweighs its practical demands, as they learn to manage the personal ties they form with patients.
For 23-year-old Michael, looking after an elderly woman following a fall makes him reflect on his close relationship with his grandmother, while the usually upbeat Will is deeply unsettled that a cancer patient he’s grown close to hasn’t got long to live. There are issues too with materialistic Erik, who struggles with the daily commitment of caring for others. That said, it’s a pleasure to see the majority of volunteers flourish, particularly psychology graduate Alishba, whose unforced empathy makes her an invaluable asset to the children’s ward. The programme also acts as an advocate for the nursing profession itself, highlighting the sheer dedication that the job requires. Toby Dantzic