Staff and patients from Barts Health NHS Trust will step into the limelight once again for the second series of Channel 5’s Operation:Live.
Following the success of the first series, viewers now have another opportunity to go behind the scenes at the country’s biggest trust, as three different operations are performed and broadcast live on air from The Royal London Hospital.
The event, which has been nominated for a British Academy Film and Television Award (BAFTA) for its first series, will run for three consecutive nights from 9-11 April fronted by Nicky Campbell.
Viewers will be invited to submit questions to surgical experts via social media.
Social media content from the first series was seen over 1.7million times over the course of the week the programme aired. It was seen by audiences across the UK as well as Europe, Africa, India, South America and the United States.
Alistair Chesser, chief medical officer at Barts Health NHS Trust, said: “Following the success of last year’s series, I am thrilled Channel 5 is returning to Barts Health for the second series to shine a spotlight on more of the world-class and life-changing treatments we provide.
“Our surgical teams together with staff across our hospitals provide tremendous care to our patients and I’m delighted this series will allow more people to see the fantastic work they do. We are hugely grateful to our patients and their families in supporting us with these programmes.”
Episode 1 – Kidney Transplant Live, 9 April at 10pm on Channel 5
The live programmes will begin with an astonishing and life-transforming operation following a kidney transplant from father to son. Earlier in the day, the surgeon will have removed the kidney from the father to transplant live in real time into the patient who has end-stage kidney failure.
Episode 2 – Spinal Surgery Live, 10 April at 10pm on Channel 5
The next night will see a transformative spinal surgery operation. The patient – an 18 year old born with scoliosis – will have her 60 degree spinal curvature straightened in a delicate, precision-perfect procedure to correct the deformity.
Episode 3 – Brain Aneurysm Surgery, 11 April at 10pm on Channel 5
On the final night, neurosurgery will take place live on air, during which the patient’s brain will be exposed in order for an aneurysm to be located and repaired to render it harmless.
