Accident and Emergency (A&E) - Royal Gwent Hospital -

"Behind the closed doors and curtains":

Without doubt the work that is carried out behind closed the doors and curtains in an accident and emergency ward is something the general public does not have the privilege of seeing. The magnitude of the work that is undertaken on a daily basis is only partially revealed in statistics or even through TV dramas.
It is maybe through photographs one begins to appreciate and understand the work being done by the staff of an A&E ward. The ability to react quickly and resolve an emergency situation is not a quality that is easily obtained by many people.

The key protagonists are two young doctors Julian and Petra; their youth and optimism could be interpreted as the hope and need to approach the issue of health in a new and more effective way.
The images depict different aspects and situations, ranging from the subtle moments to the more serious casualty cases. Most of the photographs were taken on day and night shifts during December 1998.

These images provide the viewer (general public) with an insight into how working as a team is sometimes equally important as being able to make life saving decisions. The photographs serve to outline the necessity of keeping the NHS in force, functional and most of all alive. Furthermore, it is in the public's interest to support, appreciate and most of all respect the work being done by individuals who are in some cases underpaid and under-funded.