The new five-part documentary series will give viewers unprecedented access to every aspect of the country’s health service.
The series debuts Monday August 29th at 21:35 on RTÉ One and was produced by Independent Pictures for RTÉ.
The series entailed sending 75 camera crews to locations nationwide over a 24-hour period on May 31st, 2016. Crews were given access to all aspects of the health service, with the co-operation of the Health Service Executive, hospitals and community services throughout the country.
Channel controller for RTÉ One and RTÉ2, Adrian Lynch said: "Keeping Ireland Alive: The health service in a day’ was a huge undertaking, the result is a series that is incredibly moving but also gives viewers an unparalleled insight into the workings of Ireland’s health service. This is a warts-and-all documentary series that recognises the great work being carried out on the ground by frontline staff but which is unflinchingly honest in acknowledging that the system isn’t perfect.”
Every day more than 200,000 people access the health service in Ireland, 200 babies are born and 80 people die. Over the course of filming, camera crews around the country captured the experiences of a diverse range of staff and a steady stream of patients as they accessed care that day.
From equine therapy for people with disabilities to public health nurses visiting rural bachelors through to major life-and-death surgeries, ‘Keeping Ireland Alive: The health service in a day’ witnesses people’s everyday struggles and triumphs, first hand. The result is a remarkable snapshot of a vast workplace and, through it, contemporary Irish life.”
Managing director of Independent Pictures, Conor Moloney said:
“It was a privilege to ‘Keeping Ireland Alive: The health service in a day.’ Through intimate access we witnessed people’s lives being saved or changed forever. Some of what we saw was very profound but this series also celebrates and explores the everyday ways the health service touches us all.”
Guy Montgomery was the lead editor at EGG.
Following its preview on Monday August 29th, the series will continue to air on RTÉ One throughout September.
