Viewers of BBC2's documentary series Hospital were left in tears tonight as it gave an equally terrifying and eye-opening look into ICU amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Tonight, viewers watched as doctors, nurses and staff at the Royal Free Hospital's emergency department battled the odds to provide care to patients despite the tough situation.
Harrowing scenes saw doctors call relatives of covid-19 patients to tell them that their loved one would likely die.
Midwives were also seen trying their best to help deliver the baby of a pregnant coronavirus patient.
Meanwhile, in the intensive care unit, a 69-year-old nurse was on a ventilator and needed an emergency operation to treat the UK's first case of covid-related laryngitis.
Other doctors were left frustrated after struggling to work in the extensive PPE gear as they became overheated.
A particularly heartbreaking moment saw older patient Peter accept that he could die and agreed to a DNR.
As his blood oxygen levels continued to fall, Peter said: "I had a good run, no complaints."
Thankfully, Peter was able to recover and the staff were overjoyed as he was able to leave the hospital.
Viewers flocked to Twitter in tears as they praised the documentary, insisting that it should be compulsory viewing.
One tweeted: "Watching #Hospital on @BBCTwo . Staff look to be doing an amazing job in incredibly difficult circumstances, including hard conversations with patients with COVID. But it is absolutely terrifying to watch how they are having to work & the pressure on the NHS. #StayAtHomeSaveLives."
While another commented: "Astonishing start of #hospital @BBCTwo . Absolutely must watch. Whole new level of understanding the crisis the NHS is facing. Congrats @Label1tv @ELoach and incredible work from @RoyalFreeNHS."
A third wrote: "Oh Peter such stoicism, talking about his DNAR, end-of-life care. That lovely call from doctor to daughter; how many of those calls there must be. #Hospital should be required viewing. What incredible access the production team had - full marks & to all at @RoyalFreeNHS."
"Watching our local doctors call families of patients telling them their loved ones are going to die is so heartbreaking. I can’t imagine how they managed to get through it. They are heroes. #hospital @RoyalFreeNHS," another remarked.
One tweeted: "#hospital everyone should be watching @BBCTwo scary, eye opening, sad, and heartwarming amazing staff @RoyalFreeNHS."
