The Shocking Truth About Victorian Hospitals | How The Victorians Built Britain

Three expectant mothers face childbirth during lockdown, where carefully made birth plans take unexpected turns. From an emotional rainbow baby birth and hypnobirthing to a dramatic C-section and an incredibly fast water birth. The families also confront breastfeeding struggles, neonatal care and a cleft palate diagnosis after their babies arrive. An emotional look at pregnancy, labour, delivery and new parenthood during an extraordinary time.

In this episode, doctors treat patients facing chronic pain, a suspected hernia, a knee injury and a mysterious bitter taste. A worried mum brings baby Freddy to the GP after a virus leaves him pulling painfully at his ear. One woman fears her persistent cough could be lung cancer, prompting antibiotics, a chest X-ray and further checks. Another patient opens up about severe depression, anxiety, panic attacks and the pressures affecting their mental health.

This dramatic episode goes inside a busy A&E department at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, following emergency nurses dealing with serious accidents and unusual traumas. Patients include a man who slices through his chin with an angle grinder, a woman injured in a 40 mph car crash, a 13-year-old with a severe open arm fracture, and a man who accidentally runs himself over with his own car.

An 81-year-old patient is rushed into A&E with ventricular tachycardia, a dangerously fast heart rhythm that could lead to cardiac arrest. Inside Northwick Park Hospital’s resus department, nurses and doctors race to stabilise his heart using emergency medication.With his ECG showing a potentially life-threatening rhythm, the team must act quickly before his condition deteriorates.

It’s another intense day inside Northwick Park A&E as emergency nurses treat serious injuries and sudden illness. A 66-year-old man is rushed in after a 10-foot ladder fall leaves him with a severely shattered ankle. A 74-year-old woman undergoes two painful wrist realignments after falling in her garden. The team also investigates a heart patient’s chest pain while supporting anxious patients and their families. Away from the wards, staff prepare for a wedding and enjoy the friendships that help them cope with life on the frontline.

Doctors also investigate possible carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic fatigue, poorly controlled diabetes and unexplained hair loss. Watch these fascinating real-life GP consultations exploring diagnosis, treatment, patient care and the challenges of everyday medicine.