The second in a series of nine documentary films about the Bolton Area Health Authority. Maternity Unit
The opening day of the costly new maternity wing has been rushed forward because the old maternity block is urgently needed for the psychiatric patients. The ceiling in their ward has collapsed. But the new wing is not quite finished. There are electrical faults, the heating is not working and air vents shower the theatre with insulation fibre. As hospital staff race to meet the deadline, an analysis of the delivery theatre shows that it would be dangerous in use, due to an unacceptably high level of germs and bacteria. The cleaners scrub and scour anew.
At last the theatres are pronounced fit to use and the first baby is born. But three weeks later there is disturbing news from the child's home.
Film cameraman MIKE SOUTHON Producer TIM KING