Heart-warming new video series shows budding investigator behind the scenes of local NHS services

A six-year-old budding investigator is helping the people of Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire choose the right NHS service this winter with a series of heart-warming online films that go behind the scenes at the region’s health and care facilities.

Inquisitive Max Carter has spent time visiting the dedicated teams working hard across various local NHS services, and has documented his travels for the new video series.

Over the course of more than a dozen short films, the suit and tie wearing youngster channels his inner Louis Theroux to quiz different health and care staff on the help they can offer to local people this winter.

Some of the locations featured in the Max Carter Investigates series include the Accident and Emergency Department at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, Chippenham Minor Injuries Unit, Salisbury Walk-in Centre and Hope House Surgery in Radstock.

Gill May, Chief Nurse, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, said: “While these videos are intended to be light-hearted, they do carry a very serious message, which is that it has never been more important for people to choose right when accessing health and care.

“Our services, all the way from emergency departments to GP practices, are under an enormous amount of pressure, and our teams are pulling out all the stops to help people get the support they need as quickly as possible.

“When people use a service for something that it is not intended for, such as visiting hospital for help with a sore throat, it takes staff away from caring for those in genuine need, which can lead to delays elsewhere.

“We know more people become ill or injured during the winter, and although it can be difficult to stop and think in the heat of the moment, we kindly ask people to do just that and ask themselves if where they intend to visit is really the right place for their specific condition.”

While at the RUH in Bath, Max asked the accident and emergency team what his mummy should do if she thinks he needs to be taken to hospital, and what kind of care and treatment they can provide.

Similar questions were put to the staff at other venues, with the aim of each short film to show local people what is available on their doorstep and when the most appropriate time to use each service would be.

The videos are being released at the start of what is expected to be a very busy winter period for the NHS in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire.

As well as choosing the right health and care service, people can support their local NHS this winter by helping friends and loved-ones home from hospital, getting vaccinated against Covid-19 and flu when invited to do so and celebrating the festive season sensibly.

The Max Carter Investigates videos are available to watch online at www.bswtogether.org.uk, which is where people can also find further information on all local health and care services.