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  • Video
  • 5 minutes

Hospital: The cost of treatment

Updated Wednesday, 12 July 2017
As new treatments come on stream, some carry a huge price tag. Closing the gap between what's possible, and what's affordable, is a challenge for the staff, and patients, of the Hospital.

This page was published over 6 years ago. Please be aware that due to the passage of time, the information provided on this page may be out of date or otherwise inaccurate, and any views or opinions expressed may no longer be relevant. Some technical elements such as audio-visual and interactive media may no longer work. For more detail, see how we deal with older content.

Crowdfunding cancer treatment

44-year-old Nicky from Devon has travelled to receive NHS treatment not available at her local hospital. Nicky has ovarian cancer, which has relapsed. To extend her life, she needs a radical operation to remove it. Professor Christina Fotopoulou is one of the few NHS surgeons in the country to offer this potentially life-prolonging surgery. Nicky also wants to take a promising drug to fight her cancer but it is currently only available on the NHS once she has had three courses of chemotherapy, and she is only just about to start her second. So she is attempting to crowdfund the £60,000 needed to buy the drug herself.

Going private

Mary is in hospital for a lump on her lung that is cancerous and is having it removed. Rex discusses the difference between the Private services and the NHS.

Hospital: The videos

  • Hospital: Preparing for surgery

    Hospital: Preparing for surgery

    The Hospital team meet patients, staff and carers preparing for surgery, in these clips from the BBC/OU co-produced series.

    Watch now to access more details of Hospital: Preparing for surgery

    Video

    Level: 1 Introductory

  • Hospital: After the terrorist attack

    Hospital: After the terrorist attack

    The day of the Westminster Bridge terror attack, the team making the BBC/OU co-production Hospital were filming in St Mary's Hospital. Watch some of the activity as medical crews responded to the developing incident.

    Watch now to access more details of Hospital: After the terrorist attack

    Video

    Level: 1 Introductory

  • Hospital: Dementia patients

    Hospital: Dementia patients

    Dementia can be distressing for patients and their families. The Hospital team follow staff at St Marys as they respond health care needs - which might not be best suited to time spent at A&E.

    Watch now to access more details of Hospital: Dementia patients

    Video

    Level: 1 Introductory

 

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