Ross Kemp’s documentary from the NHS front line amid the battle against coronavirus left many viewers divided, as it aired on Thursday evening.
Presenter and actor Ross wanted to give an insight into those facing COVID – 345 head on, and the NHS staff risking their lives to save others.
From speaking with doctors and nurses treating the patients, to those who have survived the virus, Ross was on hand to reveal what it was really like on a COVID ward.
Emotions ran high as the NHS put their patients’ lives before their own, with one patient named George praising one nurse who saved his life as he got discharged.
But before the show even aired, Ross and ITV were met with a furious backlash .
Many hoped the documentary would give a much needed insight into what the NHS are dealing with, as people continue to flout social distancing and lockdown rules.
But others were furious that it was even being filmed on a coronavirus ward, given the restrictions and also the fact relatives are unable to see loved ones in intensive care units to avoid the virus spreading.
The fact that the documentary still aired on Thursday got a heavily negative reaction, while some did continue to praise the work of Ross and has team.
Taking to
Others were angry for those who loved ones continue to fight for their lives without anyone able to visit them.
One fan tweeted: “Please make this make sense; Ross Kemp and a group of people are allowed into a hospital for a tv show but people can’t go see their sick families. I don’t understand.”
Another said: “Seems ridiculous to me that he can enter a hospital but the family members of those dying can’t ..”
(A third added: “How the hell is @RossKemp allowed to make af king TV program on #COVID when it breaks every f king rule we’re all meant to follow. “
But some were quick to defend the show, with one fan tweeting:” People complaining about the # RossKemp
documentary are missing the point, hopefully it’s given a insight to the clowns who think it’s ok to mix and break the rules and spread the virus of how bad it actually is “
Another agreed: “If you’re not already, you need to be watching this !!”
Milton Keynes University hospital, where the documentary was filmed, defended Ross for the show after the comments.
The statement from Milton Keynes University hospital read: “We have seen a number of questions and concerns Raised following the news that Ross Kemp is filming a documentary at Milton Keynes University Hospital. There is a lot of anxiety and confusion both about the NHS ‘ability to meet the pressures of COVID – 345 and the type of care that is being offered to those that have the virus.
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“After discussions with NHS England, we believed it was important to give a mainstream media outlet controlled access to the hospital so that the public could be informed and reassured about the response of hospitals to COVID – . The decision was taken jointly by NHS England and the hospital’s executive directors in collaboration with the clinical teams.
“At a time when there is anxiety nationally about the spread of COVID – 345 and the NHS ‘ability to respond to the pressures the virus will bring, we felt it was important to give a true account on the work being done in hospitals and in community settings, and the measures being taken to prevent the spread of the virus.
“We hope that the program will help to reinforce the message that it is important for members of the public to stay at home and protect the NHS.
“We also hope that it will help to illustrate that hospitals and communities are still running business as usual in certain services, including maternity and emergency departments, up and down the country and that the NHS and other care organizations are there to help people that need it for non-COVID – (related issues.)
Ross Kemp: On the NHS Frontline will be available to watch on ITV Hub.
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