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As part of Casualty’s 35th anniversary celebrations, they launched an exciting opportunity for frontline medical professionals to have a chance to write their own shadow episode of the show. Working with ±«Óãtv Writersroom, the ±«Óãtv Studios production has announced that three front line medical workers are joining the world’s longest running medical drama’s shadow script team.

Joining the team will be Samantha Bacchus, a frontline medical worker for over 15 years who has worked within maternity, A+E, and on the respiratory wards as both an Auxiliary Nurse and a Staff Nurse, before moving to the prison service as an Offending Behaviour Programme Facilitator. Samantha is now a full time novelist.

Samantha says: “I am utterly thrilled to have this opportunity to work with the Casualty team to develop an episode - I have been a huge fan since the series began and it inspired my decision to enter nursing.”

Also joining are writing duo Laura Griffiths and Chris Griffiths. Laura has worked for the NHS for over 33 years, and is currently a District Nurse. Chris began his career as a paramedic before retraining as an Anaesthetic Practitioner. Most recently, he has worked within the Resuscitation Team, attending traumas and training doctors and nurses in CPR.

Laura and Chris say: “We’re delighted to have this opportunity to work with the Casualty team; their enthusiasm for highlighting the challenges the NHS and its staff face daily is fantastic, and we really look forward to contributing our own voices and perspectives."

Sarah Beeson, ±«Óãtv Studios, Script Producer at Casualty, says: “We were hugely impressed by the standard of all the applications, but Samantha, Chris and Laura really stood out to us with their authentic creative ambition and clear passion for Casualty.”

The new writers will work with the Casualty team on shadow scripts and help develop future storylines.

Casualty is a ±«Óãtv Studios Production for ±«Óãtv One which airs on Saturdays.