Antony Sumara is a renowned NHS (troubleshooter). He took over at Mid-Staffordshire earlier this year after the health service (regulator) exposed appalling failings in care. He's now working with patients' groups and (staff) to rebuild trust. But he's (exasperated) over the way health workers are portrayed in (programmes) like Holby City and Casualty. In an article for the BBC website Scrubbing Up series, he says staff are shown (regularly) flirting and gossiping while treating patients; eating, drinking and (smoking) while on duty; and failing to promote good hygiene.
He (acknowledges) that viewers aren't naive and can (separate) fact from fiction, but he says these programmes should (reflect) a real hospital rather than what he calls a 'very blurred reality'.
In (response) the BBC says the programme makers consult medical experts and take great care to portray medical issues (responsibly).
Adam Brimelow, BBC News