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.

Episode 3 of Any Given Day: Cork University Hospital

Episode 3:

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:

Cyclist Trauma: 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.

High‑stakes pregnancy decision: 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.

Sports injury in resus: 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.

Brain aneurysm & emergency stroke intervention: 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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