Children's Hospital

The largest children’s hospital in the U.K, the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, has opened its doors to television cameras for a brand new ITV1 series. Children’s Hospital, a new 12 part primetime series produced by Maverick Television for ITV1, shines a light on the bravery of the hospital’s young patients, the forbearance of their parents in the most testing circumstances, and the immense skill of the army of hospital staff pulling together to save the lives of their tiny charges. The series is narrated by actor John Thomson (Coronation Street), who is also a patron of the RMCH.

In 2009, the hospital opened its doors in a blaze of publicity and celebrity support.. On a site the size of 39 football pitches, 1000 medics treat an estimated 200,000 patients a year. The hospital’s 24 hour children’s A&E Department sees around 3,000 patients each month, from newborn to 16 years old.

Actor and comedian John Thomson is the narrator of Children's Hospital and a patron of the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital. He says: "I was honored to narrate Children's Hospital. With its excellent staff and superb facilities, it truly demonstrates what life is like inside a thriving and extremely busy working hospital. The result is a very touching and compelling piece of television where the young patients' bravery and determination reveals them to be the real stars they are."


In episode one, seven year old Jack Norfolk is undergoing his 22nd operation. Jack has a range of genetic conditions which has led to him having both his kidneys removed and he now spends four hours, three days a week, having dialysis. He also suffers from glaucoma and a growth defect. Today, he’s preparing for an operation to repair his hip which has been flattened by disease; if the operation is a success he won’t rely on a wheelchair anymore. Jack says: “I just want to be normal – and eat bananas”. Despite being anxious, Jack is the life and soul of the Children’s Hospital. His mum, Jeni Spilsbury, describes him as: “An inspiration - Jack is what keeps me going.”

In the dedicated children’s A&E department, three year old Georgia has managed to get an orange pip stuck up her nose that won’t budge. As doctor Alex Blythe comments: “It is amazing the amount of objects we have to remove from children’s noses and ears.” Also in the A&E unit are 14 year old Mohammed who needs stitches for a leg wound and five year old Jake who has a head injury.

The time has come for Jack to have his operation and he says: “I just feel like creeping out of the hospital.” Waiting nervously is mum Jeni; she wishes she could take Jack’s place. But for Jack, it’s just another hurdle to cross. Jeni says: “To him, he’s just Jack; he just gets on with it, and I wouldn’t have him any other way.”

Series producer: Tanya Cohen
Executive producer: Mark Downie

Last edited: Wednesday, 10 March 2010