During ten years of researching and presenting his Lifelines in Medicine series for radio, Tony Van den Bergh has witnessed numerous operations. In each case his cool, professional commentary has helped listeners understand the technique of the surgeons. But in this programme he is somewhat less cool. His professionalism is stripped away and he is left exposed for what he is ... a patient.
In following his progress from diagnosis to the final operation to replace an arthritic hip, Van den Bergh presents a unique patient's eye-view of the hos-Vital system.
Producer jock Gallagher BBC Birmingham