Working with BBC Writersroom, BBC Studios’ Casualty has announced three front line medical workers are joining the Casualty team, as winners of writing contest are revealed.
As part of its 35th anniversary celebrations, Casualty, the world’s longest running medical drama, launched the first opportunity of its kind for 20 years and opened its doors to find new talented writers with direct medical experience to join its shadow script team. Two sets of writers have now been brought on board.
Joining the team will be Samantha Bacchus, a frontline medical worker for over 15 years who has worked within maternity, A+E, and on the respiratory wards as both an Auxiliary Nurse and a Staff Nurse, before moving to the prison service as an Offending Behaviour Programme Facilitator. Samantha is now a full time novelist.
Also joining are writing duo Laura Griffiths and Chris Griffiths. Laura has worked for the NHS for over 33 years, and is currently a District Nurse. Chris began his career as a paramedic before retraining as an Anaesthetic Practitioner. Most recently, he has worked within the Resuscitation Team, attending traumas and training doctors and nurses in CPR.
Sarah Beeson, BBC Studios, Script Producer at Casualty, says: “We were hugely impressed by the standard of all the applications, but Samantha, Chris and Laura really stood out to us with their authentic creative ambition and clear passion for Casualty.”
Samantha says: “I am utterly thrilled to have this opportunity to work with the Casualty team to develop an episode – I have been a huge fan since the series began and it inspired my decision to enter nursing.”
Laura and Chris say: “We’re delighted to have this opportunity to work with the Casualty team; their enthusiasm for highlighting the challenges the NHS and its staff face daily is fantastic, and we really look forward to contributing our own voices and perspectives.”
The new writers will work with the Casualty team on shadow scripts and help develop future storylines.
