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.
First Air Date: 1983-10-06
Last Air Date: 1983-10-27
Number of Seasons: 1
Number of Episodes: 4
Created By: G.F. Newman
Networks: Channel 4
Top Cast
- Vivienne Ritchie as Dr Jessie Marvill
- Julian Fox as Dr Montagu
- Ian McDiarmid as Dr Vernon Davis
- P.H. Moriarty as Chris Hogan
- Ruddy L. Davis as Charge Nurse
Seasons
Season 1 (1983)
No overview available for this season.
Episodes:
-
Ep. 1: Acute
Jessie finds herself the object of surprise when she applies for a surgical position at St Clair’s hospital
-
Ep. 2: Decline
We are shown something of the relationship between private health care and the NHS, and between the NHS and pharmaceutical companies.
-
Ep. 3: 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.
-
Ep. 4: Collapse
The fourth episode confronts the issue of the treatment of mentally ill patients and is perhaps the most overtly troubling.
Trailers & Videos
No trailers or videos found.
Images & Backdrops
No additional images or backdrops found.
Where to Watch
No watch providers found for this movie in TW.