Information bulletin
Record Audiences Drive Second Season of Emergency Room: Life and Death at VGH
BURNABY, B.C. - British Columbia’s Knowledge Network has commissioned a second season of the popular documentary series Emergency Room: Life and Death at VGH. The ambitious and gripping series brought in record breaking audiences for the public broadcaster when it debuted in January 2014.
“Emergency Room: Life and Death at VGH was incredibly successful on-air and online – beyond our wildest expectations - and generated a loyal fan base in the process, “said Rudy Buttignol, President and CEO of Knowledge Network Corporation. “Health care remains an important issue for most British Columbians. This documentary series dramatically showcases the vital role that emergency health care plays in our lives. We’re thrilled to be collaborating once again with Vancouver Coastal Health and Lark Productions – both best in class organizations.”
Vancouver General Hospital is the second-largest hospital in Canada and the busiest emergency department in Vancouver. It is also the only accredited Level 1 Trauma Centre in the province, meaning the hospital treats BC’s most seriously ill and critically injured. In 2014/15, VGH had 90,578 emergency department visits and has seen a 10.4 per cent increase in hospital admissions since 2009/10.
“Our hope in season one was to give the public an inside look at the complex and difficult care our staff provide on a daily basis, “ said Vivian Eliopoulos, Chief Operating Officer, Vancouver General. “We received positive feedback from across the province and it was incredibly meaningful to all medical staff who work tirelessly providing care. VGH is really looking forward to working with Lark to once again to share these stories.”
B.C.-based Lark Productions will once again produce the documentary series, bringing back many of the same creative team that worked on the first season. “It’s a privilege to return to VGH,” said Louise Clark, founder and President, Lark Productions, “and we’re excited to be back with our partners at Knowledge Network on such an impactful project. This documentary series resonated with its audience in hugely satisfying ways and is a real testament to the work of the dedicated staff at the hospital, as well as to the participation of the courageous patients, families and friends who find themselves there.”
Through the compelling stories of the emergency staff, season two of Emergency Room: Life and Death at VGH will inform and engage audiences on the challenges of health care delivery.
“As health minister, I have seen first-hand the high-quality care that dedicated health care professionals provide to those in need at VGH and this series gives British Columbians a glimpse into this fast-paced world,” said Health Minister Terry Lake.
“This unique partnership between B.C.’s public broadcaster, Vancouver Coastal Health and B.C.’s Lark Productions will create a better understanding of emergency healthcare, and inspire a new generation of first responders and healthcare workers,” said Amrik Virk, Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services.
The world premiere is planned for broadcast on Knowledge Network and Knowledge.ca in spring 2016.
About Knowledge Network
British Columbia’s Knowledge Network is a viewer supported public broadcaster reaching 1.4 million viewers each week throughout the province. Through television and the Internet, Knowledge Network informs, educates and broadens awareness by exploring the world from provincial and global perspectives.
About VCH
VCH is responsible for the delivery of $3 billion in community, hospital and residential care to more than one million people in communities including Richmond, Vancouver, the North Shore, Sunshine Coast, Sea to Sky corridor, Powell River, Bella Bella and Bella Coola.
About Lark Productions
Lark Productions is a Canadian TV production company established to give exceptional talent a voice by developing and producing quality programming that has the potential to partner and travel internationally. Lark was established in 2010 in Vancouver, BC. Among its many productions are MOTIVE (CTV, ABC), THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF VANCOUVER (Slice), MOM’S A MEDIUM (CMT), EMERGENCY ROOM: LIFE + DEATH AT VGH (Knowledge Network), and HIGH MOON (SYFY). Lark enjoys an excellent relationship and distribution deal with shareholder NBC Universal International.
CONTACTS
Glenna Pollon
Director of Government Relations and Communications
Knowledge Network
Phone: 604.431.3184
Email: glennap@knowledge.ca
Tiffany Akins
Communications & Public Affairs
Vancouver Coastal Health
Phone: 604.708.5281
Cell: 604.319.7530
Email: tiffany.akins@vch.ca
Greg Thorpe
Production Executive Lark Productions
Phone: 604.646.4100
Email: info@larkproductions.ca