BBC documentary to showcase pioneering work of Birmingham Children’s Hospital to celebrate 70 years of our NHS | News

BBC documentary to showcase pioneering work of Birmingham Children’s Hospital to celebrate 70 years of our NHS

The pioneering work of Birmingham Children’s Hospital through the generations is to be celebrated in a special BBC documentary to mark the 70th anniversary of our NHS.

Hosted by Dr Hilary Jones, whose Granddaughter’s life was saved by experts at the specialist Paediatric hospital, the programme will air on BBC 2 to viewers across the country on Tuesday 26 June at 7pm.

The 30-minute show, which is part of a five-part series titled ‘How the NHS Changed our World’, will showcase the work of our world-leading Liver and Cardiac services, along with the revolutionary treatment it’s pioneered to help save and change the lives of thousands of children and young people over the years.

Dr Hilary helps take viewers on the fascinating journey through the years that brings to life the hospital’s rich history – including how doctors helped to establish paediatric care as a medical discipline in its own right.

We also meet the first successfully separated conjoined twins, Anna and Barbara Rozyci, who were treated at the hospital 1970, as well as hearing from Cardiac Surgeon, Mr Bill Brawn and Founder of the world-renowned Liver Unit, Professor Deirdre Kelly CBE.

Dr Hilary Jones said:

“Doctors like myself are usually fully aware of the pioneering work that certain NHS hospitals have done to change the world. But rarely do they get to witness on a personal level how true that is. Birmingham Children’s Hospital, with a history it can be incredibly proud of, certainly changed my granddaughter’s world, and consequently, my own.”

Sarah-Jane Marsh, Chief Executive of Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS foundation Trust, said:

“We are so honoured the BBC have chosen to shine a light on our proud history, and offer viewers a fascinating insight into some of the many pioneering treatments invented at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, that have not only improved health and healthcare here in the UK, but right across the globe.

“The 70th anniversary of the NHS is the perfect moment to celebrate the achievements of the last 156 years, whilst also considering our ambitions and dreams for the future, as we continue to take inspiration from the children, young people and families in our care, to push the boundaries of what is possible.”

Joel Mapp, who produced the documentary, said:

“BBC Birmingham is delighted to be able to bring the fascinating history of Birmingham Children’s Hospital to BBC One across the region. Throughout its history the hospital has made an incredible contribution to the development of paediatric medicine and the team here enjoyed delving back through the archives to rediscover the moments when the hospital has attracted worldwide attention.

“Dr Hilary Jones takes viewers on a whistle-stop journey from the days of the very first paediatricians to the high-tech treatments of today and, on a more personal level, reveals how Birmingham Children’s Hospital changed his world too.”

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