TV Hospital Dramas-in perspective

Anthony Sumara the “ new “ Chief Executive of Mid Staffordshire foundation trust has decided in his wisdom that TV hospital dramas can be exciting and entertaining but they are often filled with unprofessional behaviour

He argues that such programmes are painting the NHS and its doctors and nurses in a poor light and not reflecting real hospital life.

And goes on to say “For example, what impression of a career in the NHS is set in the minds of young people aspiring to be the future generation of nurses, doctors or chief executives when they watch programmes filled with unprofessionalism and poor conduct?

Just in the past month or so, there have been numerous instances of this.

In Holby City and Casualty, nurses, doctors and other staff gossip, flirt and argue with each other, usually while treating a patient at the same time.

But, not to worry, the patient doesn't mind and more often than not joins in.

Patient confidentiality is breached constantly.

Cases are discussed regularly between staff, and even with other patients, in full earshot of anyone that can hear, including the patient themselves while nurses refer to patients affectionately as 'alkies' or 'the woman who never shuts up'.

Data breaches are common, with patient records left in public areas or worse, downloaded onto portable devices only to be lost later in the programme.

Eating, drinking and smoking directly outside A&E are also common practice while on duty and in areas where signs are clearly displayed to the contrary, as is the use of mobile phones to make personal calls.”

The above statement concerns me greatly: Mr Sumara has been brought into Mid Staffs to rectify the appalling record of patient deaths, but it seems he cannot tell fact from fiction, TV Hospital dramas are just that, dramas, they are stories written by script writers to entertain the public.

And contrary to his beliefs in the ‘real world’ patient confidentiality IS breached; Cases ARE discussed regularly between staff, in full earshot of anyone that can hear,

Data breaches ARE common, with patient records left in public areas or worse, downloaded onto portable devices only to be lost .

The use of mobile phones to make personal calls, eating, and drinking directly outside A&E ARE also common practices.

I know I have seen it happen, it may have been a few years ago but it still happens.

But back to the point, Mr Sumara is afraid that young people aspiring to be the future generation of nurses, doctors or chief executives will be corrupted by Holby City and Casualty, to be honest if “young people” are believing that the Medical “soaps” are true to life then I for one wouldn’t like to be treated by them, because they would lack the ability to distinguish between entertainment and the hard world of medicine.

But I think that the majority of those aspiring to become nurses or doctors have a good grasp of the difference between fact and fiction, unlike Mr Sumara.

I also think that Mr Sumara doesn’t have enough work to do, if he can spend his time watching Holby City and Casualty instead of reforming the abysmal mortality rates at Mid Staffs and assuring patients that the hospital is not a prelude to the cemetery.


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