Milton Keynes Hospital defend decision to allow Ross Kemp to film following criticism

Milton Keynes Hospital have defended their decision to allow Ross Kemp to film a documentary at the hospital following criticism from some members of the public.

MKFM revealed yesterday that Ross Kemp had been visiting frontline NHS workers at Milton Keynes Hospital this week as he filmed a documentary for ITV about coronavirus.

But some people have questioned why he was allowed on to the premises at a time when there are increased restrictions on visitors for ill patients.

In response, the Hospital said: "There is a lot of anxiety and confusion both about the NHS’ ability to meet the pressures of COVID-19 and the type of care that is being offered to those that have the virus."

"After discussions with NHS England, we believed it was important to give a mainstream media outlet controlled access to the hospital so that the public could be informed and reassured about the response of hospitals to COVID-19."

"We put in place visiting restrictions to prevent hundreds of people coming to the hospital and its wards every day. We took this difficult decision to help minimise the risk to our patients and staff of being exposed to the virus."

"Allowing access to a crew of maximum four people was fully risk assessed and we have carried out all Infection Prevention Control and PPE measures to ensure their presence at the hospital for a limited time presents no increased risk to patients or staff."

"Milton Keynes University Hospital are still allowing certain types of visiting, including partners of patients in Maternity and for patients at the end of their life where it is both safe and appropriate."

The Hospital have also said that any patient who is identifiable will not be included in the film without full consent.

They added: "No patient or member of staff will be identifiable on film without their consent in two forms – one with the hospital’s team and one with the external film crew."

"Some patients have expressly asked to be involved in filming so they can document their illness, the care they are receiving and the work of staff."

In addition, the film crew are replacing any PPE stock they use, like for like, on the same day as filming.

Giving more information about the documentary, the Hospital said: "At a time when there is anxiety nationally about the spread of COVID-19 and the NHS’ ability to respond to the pressures the virus will bring, we felt it was important to give a true account on the work being done in hospitals and in community settings,  and the measures being taken to prevent the spread of the virus."

"We hope that the programme will help to reinforce the message that it is important for members of the public to stay at home and protect the NHS."

"We also hope that it will help to illustrate that hospitals and communities are still running business as usual in certain services, including maternity and emergency departments, up and down the country and that the NHS and other care organisations are there to help people that need it for non-COVID-19 related issues."

"This week, the crew spent less than two days filming at the hospital. In that time they have: spoken to doctors about the virus and treatment being given to COVID-19 patients; heard from nurses and physiotherapists about the incredible work they are doing to look after people and met a patient who had been discharged home having recovered from COVID-19 after being in intensive care."

"We hope this footage will both inform the public about this virus and reassure those who have loved ones in hospital who they can’t visit that they are receiving the best care possible."

The decision to allow filming was taken jointly by NHS England and the hospital’s executive directors in collaboration with the clinical teams.

Officials have said that no access is given to any area without the express consent of the clinical leads of that area.

The Hospital added: "For the most part, filming is taking place outside clinical areas. Where filming takes place in clinical areas, the crew is kept to a maximum of two (including the presenter) and they are required to wear the appropriate PPE."

"They are in clinical areas for a very limited time and under strict supervision of hospital staff."