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Screen cap from opening credits (series seven)
form y separately published work icon All Saints series - publisher   film/TV  
Alternative title: All Saints : Medical Response Unit
Issue Details: First known date: 1998... 1998 All Saints
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

One of Australia's highest rating dramas, All Saints is a Logie Award-winning Australian medical drama set in the fictional All Saints Western General Hospital in suburban Sydney. The stories originally focused on the nursing staff of Ward 17 run by Nursing Unit Manager Terri Sullivan. It was sometimes referred to as the 'garbage ward' because it took the overflow of patients.

In 2004 Network Seven producers overhauled the series in an effort to increase the show's gradually dwindling audience. They achieved this by closing down Ward 17 and transferring some of the staff to the Emergency Department managed by Frank Campion. Several other new lead characters were also introduced. The changes also saw the storylines begin to focus more on the lives of the doctors and nurses.

Another significant change to the series came in early 2009 when the producers introduced the Medical Response Unit. Central to this development was the helicopter which took doctors to rescue situations outside the hopsital and which in turn brought patients to the All Saints Emergency Department. The show's name was also changed at this time to All Saints: Medical Response Unit. The increased production costs created by having scenes shot on location played a part, however, in the series being cancelled mid-year. The series ended with the Emergency Department and Medical Response Unit teams having a dinner to farewell the last remaining original character, Von Ryan on her final day at All Saints.

All Saints was popular in many countries including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium and Iran.

Notes

  • Award-winning episodes in this series are included on AustLit.

Includes

1.06
form y separately published work icon Give and Take Grant Fraser , Australia : Red Heart Entertainment , 1998 6083561 1998 single work film/TV

A brother and sister enter Ward 17 for a kidney transplant/donation, and an elite athlete copes with the amputation of her arm as treatment for bone cancer.

Australia : Red Heart Entertainment , 1998
1.20
form y separately published work icon Revelations Anthony Ellis , Australia : Red Heart Entertainment , 1998 6083759 1998 single work film/TV

'A young woman is in hospital with a serious bacterial infection six weeks after the birth of her first child. She goes into cardiac arrest and has a near death experience. Jaz helps three elderly ladies feel worthwhile and Von brings out the devil in an otherwise shy, gentleman patient.'

Source: Australian Television Information Archive. (Sighted: 25/6/2013)

Australia : Red Heart Entertainment , 1998
2.17
form y separately published work icon Head to Head Kristen Dunphy , Australia : Red Heart Entertainment , 1999 6083914 1999 single work film/TV

'It's a hard day out in the field for Ben and Luke when they come into conflict over their differing approaches to saving a factory worker with his arm caught in a machine. Steph questions her choice not to have children when she nurses a successful businesswoman, diagnosed with breast cancer, who regrets giving up her child for adoption during her teenage years. Connor fears that a series of late nights may have caused him to endanger the life of a patient. Terri is concerned Jared's unresolved feelings about his break-up with Samantha are affecting his work.'

Source: Australian Television Information Archive. (Sighted: 25/6/2013)

Australia : Red Heart Entertainment , 1999
3.01
form y separately published work icon Valley of the Shadow : Part One David Phillips , Australia : Red Heart Entertainment , 2000 6084002 2000 single work film/TV

'All Saints is thrown into emergency status when an explosion creates chaos and carnage. The disaster becomes personal when the staff realise that Von is missing. Steph has to put aside her fears about her own pregnancy while Ben and Bron fight to save the life of a pregnant woman and her unborn child.'

Source: Australian Television Information Archive. (Sighted: 25/6/2013)

Australia : Red Heart Entertainment , 2000
3.22
form y separately published work icon Dead on Time Anthony Ellis , Australia : Red Heart Entertainment , 2000 6084138 2000 single work film/TV

'Connor becomes Acting NUM when Steph is uncharacteristically late for the morning shift. Anxiety mounts as the morning wears on.

'Ben and Bron, meanwhile, arrive on the scene of a terrible car smash to discover with horror that Steph is the critically injured driver of one of the cars. Bron is forced to take command of on-site medical assistance as Ben becomes paralysed by fear and anguish. His anger erupts in violence against the bewildered drunken driver of the other car and he has to be pulled off by the arresting police. Relieved by the Police Rescue Squad and a second team of paramedics, Ben sits with his wife, coaxing her to remain conscious, urging her to hang on.'

Source: Australian Television Information Archive. (Sighted: 25/6/2013)

Australia : Red Heart Entertainment , 2000
4.22
form y separately published work icon The Sign Sarah Walker , Australia : Red Heart Entertainment , 2001 6084283 2001 single work film/TV

'Von never makes it to the charity ball when her little friend Zac's condition begins to deteriorate. Terri and Malcolm bond at the ball but Terri is shocked to discover Rose suffers from bi-polar. The revelation causes problems between Mitch and Rose. Kylie drinks too much, Scott puts more moves on Andrea and Luke's date is horribly raped outside the ball venue. Meanwhile, Connor and Bron are on night shift in Ward 17.'

Source: Australian Television Information Archive. (Sighted: 25/6/2013)

Australia : Red Heart Entertainment , 2001
8.22
form y separately published work icon Right to Life Sam Meikle , Australia : Red Heart Entertainment , 2005 6084360 2005 single work film/TV

'When young couple Craig Mendolsohn and Megan Harris are brought in after an MVA, Charlotte and Jack take a special interest in their treatment after it's discovered that Megan is five months pregnant.

'Jack meanwhile has been treating Craig and he is touched by Craig's concern for Megan and his baby, only to be confronted with the bitter truth about the accident.

'Frank's criticism of Constable Peter Saunders when he learns that it was a pursuit gone wrong, confirms his original conclusion that the young constable is a gung-ho cowboy with little regard for the consequences of his actions. However, this assessment is proven wrong and results in dire consequences which put Frank and Cate at loggerheads.

'After recent events, the rest of the staff are beginning to resent being targeted by Beth because of Vincent and when they receive a taunting bunch of flowers it's the last straw. Vincent is close to breaking point and it's Cate who gives him an ultimatum.

'Nelson and Kerry are very aware of the chilly reception they are receiving from Von since getting together. Out of concern for each other, Kerry and Nelson each separately confront Von, but apparently without success.'

Source: Australian Television Information Archive. (Sighted: 25/6/2013)

Australia : Red Heart Entertainment , 2005
10.01
form y separately published work icon Family Matters Louise Crane , Australia : Red Heart Entertainment , 2007 6084529 2007 single work film/TV

'While Vincent and Jack fight for Bart's life in the Operating Theatre, Frank finds himself eaten up with worry and guilt over the situation. Being interviewed by the police and having to relive the horrifying moment when his protege hit the floor in a bleeding mess does nothing to settle his nerves. As Bart hovers near death, Frank's guilt overwhelms him and we're left wondering if he'll be able to rise above it.

'Meanwhile, Dan is still stuck in his house with an escaped prisoner who also happens to be Erica's brother. He knows the man is carrying a more serious injury than even AJ himself realises. Even with his best efforts, and the knowledge that it's Ricky's brother he's dealing with, it looks as if Dan could very well fail in his quest to save a life.

'Zoe must deal with an overwrought father who feels responsible for his daughter's illness while Cate, still recovering from her drug overdose, makes a life decision that sees her leave the Emergency Department forever.'

Source: Australian Television Information Archive. (Sighted: 25/6/2013)

Australia : Red Heart Entertainment , 2007
10.41
form y separately published work icon Against the Wall : Part Two Sean Nash , Australia : Seven Network , 2008 6044285 2008 single work film/TV

'Frank's leadership is put to the ultimate test when the ED team is held hostage and a deadly plan unfolds. In the bedlam that follows, threats are made, tempers are stretched and lives are lost. And at the end of it, Frank makes a decision that looks likely to cost him his job.'

Source: Australian Television Information Archive. (Sighted: 12/6/2013)

Australia : Seven Network , 2008
11.31
form y separately published work icon Not What You'd Expect Sean Nash , Australia : Seven Network , 2008 Z1571156 2008 single work film/TV

'When Amy puts her foot in it with a heavily disfigured patient, she feels the entire department is against her. A charming eccentric who's gambled with his life by self-medicating forces Jack to make a decision that has dire consequences. A new computer system complicates operations in the ED. Mike has bitten the bullet and phoned Juliet - whom he barely knows - for a date. A big gesture, considering she's now in Melbourne. Their initial nerves at what's almost a blind date soon vanish but just as they're about to move to a quieter venue to get to know each other even better, a drug-fuelled glassing incident between two socialite brats claims Mike's talents as a doctor. The incident effectively ends Mike's date with Juliet. Or does it...?'

Source: Australian Television Information Archive website, http://australiantelevision.net/
Sighted: 25/03/2009

Australia : Seven Network , 2008

Works about this Work

We Studied Two Decades of Queer Representation on Australian TV, and Found Some Interesting Trends Damien O'Meara , Whitney Monaghan , 2024 single work column
— Appears in: The Conversation , 12 March 2024;
From Martyr to Robo-Nurse : The Portrayal of Australian Nurses on Screen Lisa Milner , Cathy Brigden , 2014 single work criticism
— Appears in: Studies in Australasian Cinema , vol. 8 no. 2/3 2014; (p. 110-122)
'Nurses have traditionally been seen as among the most trusted of workers, with cultural connections with caring and femininity long been associated with their profession. While the portrayal of nurses in overseas screenworks has had some attention, Australian productions have not. This study identifies four categories of screenworks: popular entertainment, training and recruitment films, wartime nursing, and nurses as workers and unionists. Although more recent mainstream media portrayals of nurses increasingly depict strong, assertive professionals, little research has been conducted into the fourth category, a significant number of which are made by nurses. When nurses take on the film-making task, different outcomes are produced. New types of film about nurses and by nurses offer an evolving representation of the profession and are helping to change the identity of nurses.' (Publication abstract)
Farewell Old Friends Michael Idato , 2009 single work column
— Appears in: The Age , 22 October 2009; (p. 12-13)
All Saints Fades Away Michael Idato , 2009 single work column
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 26 October 2009; (p. 3)
Staying Power Melinda Houston , 2009 single work column
— Appears in: The Sunday Age , 25 October 2009; (p. 31)
All Saints Axed After Decade On TV Bridget McManus , 2009 single work column
— Appears in: The Age , 10 July 2009; (p. 5)
Staying Power Melinda Houston , 2009 single work column
— Appears in: The Sunday Age , 25 October 2009; (p. 31)
All Saints Fades Away Michael Idato , 2009 single work column
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 26 October 2009; (p. 3)
Farewell Old Friends Michael Idato , 2009 single work column
— Appears in: The Age , 22 October 2009; (p. 12-13)
From Martyr to Robo-Nurse : The Portrayal of Australian Nurses on Screen Lisa Milner , Cathy Brigden , 2014 single work criticism
— Appears in: Studies in Australasian Cinema , vol. 8 no. 2/3 2014; (p. 110-122)
'Nurses have traditionally been seen as among the most trusted of workers, with cultural connections with caring and femininity long been associated with their profession. While the portrayal of nurses in overseas screenworks has had some attention, Australian productions have not. This study identifies four categories of screenworks: popular entertainment, training and recruitment films, wartime nursing, and nurses as workers and unionists. Although more recent mainstream media portrayals of nurses increasingly depict strong, assertive professionals, little research has been conducted into the fourth category, a significant number of which are made by nurses. When nurses take on the film-making task, different outcomes are produced. New types of film about nurses and by nurses offer an evolving representation of the profession and are helping to change the identity of nurses.' (Publication abstract)
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