Former NHS nurses and paramedics ‘delighted’ to win contest to develop plots for Casualties

A trio all working on the medical front lines, including a nurse who has worked for the NHS for 33 years, won a writing contest to help plots progress in the TV series Casualty. by BBC

A district nurse who has worked for the NHS for more than 33 years has spoken of her joy after winning a writing contest to help develop the plot in the hospital’s series Casualty.

Screenwriter duo Laura and Chris Griffiths, along with former paramedic Samantha Bacchus, who was inspired to pursue a career in nursing while watching episodes of Casualty – are the winners of the BBC’s competition. was held as part of the program’s 35th anniversary.

The BBC Writers room and BBC Studios contest was launched last September and is the first for the series in about 20 years, according to the BBC.

It urged anyone with frontline medical experience to sign up, and competitors were asked to write and submit part of a Casualty episode based on a synopsis on clinical presenter Dylan Keogh, led by Played by William Beck, there’s a “day from hell in ED”.

The winners will join the show’s shadow script team, giving them the opportunity to work on test scripts for the TV series.

Based on their work on shadow scripts, for which they will be paid, the BBC said there are likely to be more scripting opportunities with the show at a later date.

“I’m really excited to have had the opportunity to work with the Casualty team to develop an episode – I’ve been a huge fan since the series started and that’s inspired me,” Samantha said. decided to enter the nursing field.”

She was a frontline health worker for over 15 years and worked in obstetrics and A&E, and respiratory departments, before moving to prison services as a behavioral program operator. offense. She is now a full-time novelist.

Laura and Chris Griffiths added: “We are delighted to have this opportunity to work with the Casualty team.

“Their enthusiasm for highlighting the challenges the NHS and its staff face every day is amazing and we’re really looking forward to giving our voices and perspectives our own.”

Laura, now a county nurse, has worked for the NHS for more than 33 years.

Chris began his career as a paramedic before retraining as an anesthesiologist and has recently worked on the resuscitation team, attending trauma and training physicians and paramedics. on artificial respiration.

BBC Studios script producer at Casualty, Sarah Beeson, said: “We were extremely impressed by the standard of all the apps, but Samantha, Chris and Laura really stood out to us with ambition. Authentic creativity and obvious passion for Casualty.

“We are extremely excited to be working with them on their shadow scenarios and look forward to developing them as future Disability writers while learning from their true life experiences. their fascinating reality.”

The accident, which dates back to 1986, follows the staff and patients of the A&E department at the fictional Holby City Hospital.