The Nation's Health (1983)

Synopsis

The Nation's Health is a 4 episode series written by G.F.Newman based on his book of the same name, originally broadcast on the fledgling Channel 4 UK TV channel in 1983. The series consists of four episodes that are, in order, titled: Acute, Decline, Chronic, and Collapse. In it we are faced with a maelstrom of political issues, illnesses, fatalities, personal greed and professional vanities. As may be clear from these titles, the series draws a relentlessly bleak view of the NHS in 1980s Britain. The protagonist of the series is a newly-qualified doctor, Jessie Marvill (Vivienne Ritchie). The series follows Jessie through four different sectors of the NHS, although the episodes are not focused entirely through Jessie: the NHS is seen from a variety of different perspectives, from doctors and patients to administrators and kitchen staff.

Seasons & Episodes

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Season 1

4 Episodes

E1 Acute

Jessie finds herself the object of surprise when she applies for a surgical position at St Clair’s hospital

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E2 Decline

We are shown something of the relationship between private health care and the NHS, and between the NHS and pharmaceutical companies.

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E3 Chronic

The third episode focuses on the closure of Nightingale block, which will save the health authority £560,000 (one-twentieth of the hospital’s expenditure) at the expense of 120 beds.

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E4 Collapse

The fourth episode confronts the issue of the treatment of mentally ill patients and is perhaps the most overtly troubling.

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