Get a First Hand Look Inside Cork University Hospital with RTE

On any given day at Cork University Hospital, 4,000 dedicated staff care for hundreds of patients – 800 inpatients, 800 outpatients, and over 240 emergency cases. Any Given Day: Cork University Hospital a six part series takes viewers behind the scenes to witness extraordinary moments of care, from life-saving surgeries to critical decisions in the Emergency Department.

The Final Episode of Any Given Day: Cork University Hospital

A Tribute to the People Who Make “Any Given Day” Possible at CUH

The final episode of Any Given Day on RTÉ offered a powerful reminder of the extraordinary work taking place across Cork University Hospital every single day.

While the series highlighted the dedication of a handful of staff, it also revealed something much bigger: CUH operates 24/7, 365 days a year because of the commitment of hundreds of people—both on camera and behind the scenes. From porters, catering teams, cleaners and administrative staff to nurses, doctors and every role in between, each person plays a vital part in keeping Cork and Munster moving.

Their dedication is nothing short of remarkable, and we are incredibly fortunate to have a hospital of CUH’s calibre serving our region.

If the series moved you, there is a meaningful way to support the work that continues long after the cameras stop rolling. By donating to CUH Charity, you can help enhance care for patients and staff right across the hospital.

Here’s to everyone who makes exceptional care possible on any given day.

Episode 5 of Any Given Day: Cork University Hospital 

Episode 5 continues the series’ inside look at life in one of Ireland’s busiest hospitals, following real-time patient journeys and the hospital teams who care for them.

The Emergency Department staff treat Patricia, who arrives with severe breathing difficulties. The team work to stabilise her first before they can identify what’s causing the problem. The team use a specialised breathing tool to help Patricia steady her breathing.

Baby Shay comes in to the hospital to get an operation on his cleft lip palette, which was successful.

Peter is admitted with a large aortic aneurysm that needs urgent surgical repair to prevent it from rupturing. Consultant Vascular Surgeon Greg Fulton leads the operation alongside a trainee surgeon performs a critical part of the procedure under supervision. This is an extremely high-risk operation. The episode highlights the impact these operations have on family members, like Peter’s daughter who accompanied him to hospital.

CUH Charity has contributed to funding several family rooms in the hospital, including the Cardiothoracic Family Room on level 5, for family members of patients in the Cardiothoracic Unit.

To read more CLICK HERE.

To support the work of CUH Charity in funding more family rooms, please donate on this page.

Episode 4 of Any Given Day: Cork University Hospital 

Episode 4 of Any Given Day: Cork University Hospital follows along with patients and hospital staff on another busy day in CUH, with several complex cases across several departments including cardiology, cystic fibrosis, orthopaedics and children’s emergency.

Last night, we saw a mother and son attend the Children’s E.D. with an ongoing case of breathing issues. As a parent, watching your child in pain or distress, is one of the most frightening things there is. An ED (Emergency Department) is a bustling, busy environment. It can be stressful for an adult when they come through our doors for care – so for children, this feeling can be even stronger. This is why having a dedicated Children’s ED matters so much. It is a space where young patients can be seen for major trauma, broken bones, high temperatures, mental health issues or acute illness and so much more – surrounded by staff who understand their unique needs.
We are so proud to have helped developed the Children’s E.D., a space separate from the adults E.D., where children can be seen for major trauma, broken bones, high temperatures, mental health issues, acute illness and so much more!
Dr Hannah is on call to bring you through the unit to show all the amazing features, as well as a few handy tips for kids to know, like where to go, how they will be assessed and what to bring with you. Have a tour of the Children’s Emergency Department HERE.
If you would like to support Children’s Services in CUH please donate on this page.

Episode 3 of Any Given Day: Cork University Hospital

 

Episode 3 portrays another complex day in CUH. The episode explores a busy day in the emergency department beginning with a man suffering from a heart attack, followed by a barely conscious little girl being rushed in later on in the day. The episode visits the Paediatric Allergy Clinic exploring the challenges of extreme foods allergies. The episode also follows a total femur replacement surgery.

The episode follows Professor Mark Corrigan, Surgical Oncologist who is going to operate on Antoinette. Antoinette had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024, and had a mastectomy on her right breast. Antoinette was found to have the BRCA gene, which increases the risk of several cancers, specifically breast cancer. The episode explores Antoinette’s difficult decision to have her other healthy breast removed and to undergo a reconstruction. This sort of surgical cancer prevention, shifts the focus from treating disease to stopping it before it starts .Professor Mark Corrigan, Surgical Oncologist in CUH who was integral in the progress of this programme in CUH and has been a long time advocate for this Cancer Prevention Programme, something which CUH Charity has been proud to support.

If you would like to donate to projects like this please, please donate on this page.

If you would like to read more about the Cancer Prevention Programme CLICK HERE.

Episode 2 of Any Given Day: Cork University Hospital

Episode 2 explores another busy day in CUH with many more complex cases. Doctor Jason Van Der Velde responds to a critical call where 49-year-old James is in severe distress after being kicked in the chest by a horse, while also dealing with a cyclist with a dislocated kneecap.

You see the day-to-day collaborative work of the hospital through Howard, who is living with Motor Neurone Disease, attending a check up to check on the progression of his condition. Similarly, 64-year-old Tim, diagnosed with advanced lung cancer, has seen his tumour shrink thanks to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Surgeon Kishore Doddakula successfully completes a life-saving operation to remove the remaining cancer.

Lastly, we see four-year-old Madison rushed into CUH with prolonged seizures. Emergency Consultant Rory O’Brien and his team stabilize Madison however the episode explores the struggle Madison and her family have been experiencing with her health.

CUH Charity is funding life-changing equipment to assist with the diagnosis of epilepsy in children like Madison. The equipment allows for children to be at home with their loved ones and in an familiar environment while being monitored. This allows for improved diagnostics and a more comfortable environment for children and their families. To read more about this equipment CLICK HERE. 

Episode 1 of Any Given Day: Cork University Hospital

Episode 1 follows the case of Barry, age 46, is airlifted to CUH following a serious road collision on the Beara Peninsula. In the Emergency Department, Dr. Oge Iwegbulem orders a full “pan scan” to assess potential injuries to his head, spine, chest, abdomen, and pelvis. Caroline, an expectant mother at 30 weeks pregnant, attends a crucial scan alongside her partner Rory. Caroline has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, and Consultant Oncologist Dr. Richard Bambury faces a complex decision to balance cancer treatment with the safety of mother and baby. 22-year-old Kaytlin arrives after suffering a deep gash during a football match. Advanced Nurse Practitioner Elaine Houlihan performs sutures in the Emergency Department. Joe is preparing for surgery to fix a brain aneurysm. Just as Neuro Interventional Radiologist Gerry Wyse is about to begin, an emergency stroke patient arrives. Gerry must quickly shift gears to perform a thrombectomy, saving a collapsing brain clot, before returning to Joe’s case while his anxious family waits.

A striking first episode of RTEs Any Given Day: Cork University Hospital has allowed for a brief look at what a day in CUH looks like. The multiple storylines episode 1 follows, portrays the plethora of people and cases which the hospital deals with daily. The show highlights the importance of human empathy and connection for both staff and patients. The episode also portrayed the complexity of each patient and the issues that may arise on any given day in the hospital.

CUH Charity raises money and funds projects across both CUH and CUMH from family rooms, medical equipment and much more to help hospital staff to save and change lives. If you would like to read about projects we have funded CLICK HERE.

Watch it here on RTE Player: Any Given Day: Cork University Hospital – RTE Player

Any Given Day Donation

Any Given Day shows the incredible care and expertise at CUH. Your donation helps us provide lifesaving equipment and support for patients and families when they need it most. (Did you know? If you donate €250 or more to CUH Charity in any one year, we can claim tax relief on your gift, increasing its value by 45% to us at no extra cost to you.)

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