As patient numbers and pressures increase, Dispatches investigates the reality of work for nurses around the country and examines whether patient care is being compromised in NHS hospitals.
In candid interviews, nurses - mostly speaking anonymously for fear of jeopardising their careers - describe what life is really like on many wards. They speak of their frustrations with the health service system and make shocking admissions.
One nurse reveals: 'The most worrying thing for me is to find a patient dead behind a closed curtain.'
Dispatches also reveals the results of a specially commissioned YouGov survey of NHS nurses. Among other things, the survey uncovers the high percentage of nurses who have witnessed poor practice and the number who say they have too many patients to look after properly.
Senior nurses speak frankly about how lack of regular staff and a heavy dependence on inexperienced agency nurses could put patients' lives in danger.
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On TV
First Shown
| Date | Time | Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 23 March 2009 | 8PM | Channel 4 |
Last Shown
| Date | Time | Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 23 March 2009 | 8PM | Channel 4 |
