New medical series for BBC ONE

Mar 20 2008

Medical Frontiers (working title) presented by Professor Robert Winston, is a new medical series for BBC ONE, examining the life and death decisions made every day on the edge of medicine.

Far from the safety of known procedures, the 3x60 series follows the lives of patients and medics making the impossible decision to jump into the unknown. What are their reasons? How do loved-ones manage the calculated gamble, and what of the professionals who must place all faith in their skills?

The first programme delves into the technical frontier of robotic surgery. In a world of near-Science Fiction, the first MRI-compatible robot will operate on a human brain. Meanwhile the Da Vinci robot undertakes key-hole operations on children.

The second episode explores the revolutionary world of stem-cell technology. Stories include a brilliant – but highly experimental – treatment to encourage a damaged heart to ‘mend' itself after a coronary. However, in the midst of a heart attack, how can a medic prescribe an experimental new treatment?

The final programme visits Africa where a desperate lack of resources forces a British trauma surgeon to turn to alternative methods. And following the story of a tiny baby in London with severely deformed feet, the story shows how frontiers of medicine aren't necessarily reached only through high-cost and high-technology.

Robert Winston, Professor of Science and Society, Emeritus Professor of Fertility Studies, Imperial College, London, guides audiences through the maze of emotion and science. His insightful perceptions make this a thought-provoking and entertaining guide into a world where courageous individuals are paving the way for everybody's health tomorrow.

Commissioned by Martin Davidson, Commissioning Editor, Science and History, Medical Frontiers is due for broadcast Summer 2008. The series has been produced for the BBC by Dangerous Films. The Dangerous Films Executive Producer is Richard Dale and the Series Producer is Diana Hill.

Martin Davidson, Commissioning Editor said: “This is medicine at its most exciting and innovative. We're absolutely delighted to have Professor Robert Winston on board to help bring this captivating subject matter to BBC ONE. It's wonderful to see him back on our screens in the world of cutting-edge medicine - his own particular speciality."