Roy, at 23:51 on Dec 19 1996, you wrote to Bill Grimsley...

BG> if you want to see first hand how NOT to run a public hospital, watch 
BG> "Cardiac Arrest" on ABC-TV, Mondays at 2130).

RM> I'm not sure if I wanna watch that show any more, they like 
RM> the king-hit at the end too much.

Some of it iis gut-wrenching stuff, but isn't that the whole point?

RM> Like the time the haemophiliac (sp?) turned up in Casualty with a mere 
RM> nosebleed, and was very messily dead inside ten minutes cos the local 
RM> equivalent of the blood bank didn't have any Factor 8.

I remember it well.  Put me off hospitals for life too.

Last night's was interesting, where a father wouldn't allow his brain-dead
daughter's organs to be used for transplants, even after he'd actually met
one young fellow who'd been enduring dialysis thrice weekly since he was
aged 8, had badly inflamed and infected fistulas, and desperately needed
her kidneys.  Mind-numbing stuff.

RM> Easily the most powerful tv I've seen in a long time.

I've watched the program since it began, and for the first 6-8 episodes,
had trouble deciding whether it was meant to be a black comedy, a soapie,
or just another true-to-life look at how the other half lives.  I'm still
not sure exactly what it is, but as you suggest, it is indeed extremely
powerful stuff.  Pity each episode only runs for 25 minutes though.

Regards, Bill

--- MsgedSQ/2 3.50