Ask to use material, get more information or tell us about an item
Spectrum was a weekly radio documentary series which ran on Radio New Zealand's National station from 1972 to 2016. Alwyn Owen and Jack Perkins produced the series for many years, creating a valuable library of New Zealand oral history.
An evening in the Casualty Department of Wellington's Hospital seen through the eyes of both inpatients and medical staff.
The programme begins with excerpts of inpatients and staff, and introduced by Stephen Riley. In the cubicles a young man waits with a sprained ankle, a young boy who's swallowed a 20 cent coin, a woman with chest pain, another with back trouble and a couple enquire about a hurt foot at reception.
An interview with an unidentified nurse as she describes public relations and waiting times, an unidentified man asks Riley for 50 cents and a nurse approaches him to make sure he's not hurt. Riley asks nurse Sally if this is a typical event.
A tea break conversation with nurse Lynn who talks about old uniforms and "dirt money". A young woman, ushered in by police with a badly cut lip and bruising (Riley names her Ruth) quietly speaks about her domestic assault. A nurse comforts her. A young man named Gary, having an asthma attack, is ushered onto a nebuliser to receive Ventolin. Nurse Lynn, Riley and an unknown woman discuss Ruth’s assault.
In the trolley bay a flurry of movement signals an arriving emergency; a girl named Karen is wheeled in on a rescue stretcher, she has fallen 40 feet down a cliff. Her injuries are assessed by staff. Ruth has her lip stitched up by a doctor who explains how they will eventually dissolve.
In the trolley bay staff realise the girl's injuries are severe and multiple, and the surgical team are urgently called to assist. An unidentified nurse talks about how she deals with the loss of patients. Medical staff discuss the fallen girl’s injuries once her x-ray results are returned. The programme concludes with shift a change report.
Announcer's outro and credits:
Recorded by Jack Perkins and Steve Riley
Produced by Steve Riley
Technical Assistance Tony Schwartz
Spectrum documentary gives special thanks to the administration and staff of Wellington Hospital for their co-operation and assistance in the making of this programme.