Holby
Encyclopedia
Holby is a fictional city in the United Kingdom
, in which BBC
medical drama
s Casualty
and Holby City
, and police drama HolbyBlue
are set. It is based upon the city of Bristol
, and is located in the fictional county of Wyvern
in the South-West of England, not far from the Welsh border. While Casualty is filmed on location in Bristol, Holby City is filmed in Elstree
, Hertfordshire
. Both shows are set in the same fictional Holby City Hospital, with storylines focusing on the Emergency
, Clinical Decisions Unit (CDU), Private Healthcare Unit (HolbyCare), General
(Kellar) and Cardiothoracic surgical
(Darwin) departments, an Acute Assessment Unit
(AAU), and the fictional Holby Ambulance Service.
Holby City Hospital is the fictional hospital
in which Casualty
and Holby City
are set. It is based on the Bristol Royal Infirmary
where the original script writers went to observe to garner ideas for Casualty in the 1980s. Although both shows are set in the same hospital, Casualty is primarily filmed in Bristol, while Holby City is filmed in Hertfordshire at the BBC's Elstree Studios
. The indoor shots for the first series of Casualty were filmed at BBC Television Centre
in London
. The exterior shots of the hospital used in Casualty were formerly filmed at the City of Bristol College
, but are now shot on an industrial estate at 51.459094°N 2.567030°W, close to the interior set of the hospital. It was announced on 15 October 2008 that the BBC
is considering moving the filming of Casualty to studios in Cardiff
. On 26 March 2009, the BBC confirmed the move. As of late 2011, Casualty will be filmed on a purpose built studio and backlot set at the BBC Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff
51.4627°N 3.1565°W.
(formerly referred to as Accident and Emergency). Holby City is set between the hospital's Acute Assessment Unit
, and Keller and Darwin wards, providing General
and Cardiothoracic
surgical care respectively. Recently Holby expanded by adding "Holby Care", a private healthcare ward led by Michael Spence
. Recently a new department was formed just of the ED called 'Clinical Decision Unit' part off the ED headed by Adam Tureman. Former storylines have also focused around the hospital's Otter ward, providing paediatric care, as well as its maternity
ward. Otter ward has not featured in the show since series 4, whilst the maternity ward ceased usage as a primary location in series 8; despite no longer being seen on-screen, both of these wards are still occasionally referred to in dialogue.
In 2011, Downton and Perry are shown to be psychiatric wards at the hospital. (Series 25, Episode 23 "Place of Safety")
and Holby City
. The vehicles and uniforms used on the shows derive from Great Western Ambulance Service
, which serves Bristol where Casualty is filmed. Paramedic advisors working on the show are often from Great Western Ambulance Service. Although the ambulance service is only seen in Holby City very rarely, Casualty has featured paramedic
characters as a key part of the cast since the show's 1986 conception.
was based in its two series run.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, in which BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
medical drama
Medical drama
A medical drama is a television program, in which events center upon a hospital, an ambulance staff, or any medical environment.In the United States, most medical episodes are one hour long and, more often than not, are set in a hospital. Most current medical Dramatic programming go beyond the...
s Casualty
Casualty (TV series)
Casualty, stylised as Casual+y, is a British weekly television show broadcast on BBC One, and the longest-running emergency medical drama television series in the world. Created by Jeremy Brock and Paul Unwin, it was first broadcast on 6 September 1986, and transmitted in the UK on BBC One. The...
and Holby City
Holby City
Holby City, stylised as Holby Ci+y, is a British medical drama television series that airs weekly on BBC One.The series was created by Tony McHale and Mal Young as a spin-off from the established BBC medical drama Casualty, and premiered on 12 January 1999...
, and police drama HolbyBlue
HolbyBlue
HolbyBlue was a British police drama series that aired on BBC One from 2007 to 2008. Produced by the BBC, Red Planet Pictures and Kudos for BBC One, it is a spin-off of the successful BBC One medical drama Holby City, itself a spin-off of the long-running series Casualty.The first series was...
are set. It is based upon the city of Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
, and is located in the fictional county of Wyvern
Wyvern
A wyvern or wivern is a legendary winged reptilian creature with a dragon's head, two legs , and a barbed tail. The wyvern is found in heraldry. There exists a purely sea-dwelling variant, termed the Sea-Wyvern which has a fish tail in place of a barbed dragon's tail...
in the South-West of England, not far from the Welsh border. While Casualty is filmed on location in Bristol, Holby City is filmed in Elstree
Elstree
Elstree is a village in the Hertsmere borough of Hertfordshire on the A5 road, about 10 miles north of London. In 2001, its population was 4,765, and forms part of the civil parish of Elstree and Borehamwood, originally known simply as Elstree....
, Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
. Both shows are set in the same fictional Holby City Hospital, with storylines focusing on the Emergency
Emergency department
An emergency department , also known as accident & emergency , emergency room , emergency ward , or casualty department is a medical treatment facility specialising in acute care of patients who present without prior appointment, either by their own means or by ambulance...
, Clinical Decisions Unit (CDU), Private Healthcare Unit (HolbyCare), General
General surgery
General surgery, despite its name, is a surgical specialty that focuses on abdominal organs, e.g., intestines including esophagus, stomach, small bowel, colon, liver, pancreas, gallbladder and bile ducts, and often the thyroid gland . They also deal with diseases involving the skin, breast, soft...
(Kellar) and Cardiothoracic surgical
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Cardiothoracic surgery is the field of medicine involved in surgical treatment of diseases affecting organs inside the thorax —generally treatment of conditions of the heart and lungs .-Cardiac / Thoracic:...
(Darwin) departments, an Acute Assessment Unit
Acute Assessment Unit
An acute assessment unit, or acute admissions unit, is a short-stay department in some hospitals that is sometimes part of the emergency department, although a separate department. The AAU acts as a gateway between a patient's general practitioner, the emergency department, and the wards of the...
(AAU), and the fictional Holby Ambulance Service.
Holby City Hospital
Hospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
in which Casualty
Casualty (TV series)
Casualty, stylised as Casual+y, is a British weekly television show broadcast on BBC One, and the longest-running emergency medical drama television series in the world. Created by Jeremy Brock and Paul Unwin, it was first broadcast on 6 September 1986, and transmitted in the UK on BBC One. The...
and Holby City
Holby City
Holby City, stylised as Holby Ci+y, is a British medical drama television series that airs weekly on BBC One.The series was created by Tony McHale and Mal Young as a spin-off from the established BBC medical drama Casualty, and premiered on 12 January 1999...
are set. It is based on the Bristol Royal Infirmary
Bristol Royal Infirmary
The Bristol Royal Infirmary, also known as the BRI, is a large teaching hospital situated in the centre of Bristol, England. It has links with the medical faculty of the nearby University of Bristol, and the Faculty of Health and Social Care at the University of the West of England, also in...
where the original script writers went to observe to garner ideas for Casualty in the 1980s. Although both shows are set in the same hospital, Casualty is primarily filmed in Bristol, while Holby City is filmed in Hertfordshire at the BBC's Elstree Studios
Elstree Studios
"Elstree Studios" refers to any of several film studios that were based in the towns of Borehamwood and Elstree in Hertfordshire, England, since film production begun in 1927.-Name:...
. The indoor shots for the first series of Casualty were filmed at BBC Television Centre
BBC Television Centre
BBC Television Centre at White City in West London is the headquarters of BBC Television. Officially opened on 29 June 1960, it remains one of the largest to this day; having featured over the years as backdrop to many BBC programmes, it is one of the most readily recognisable such facilities...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. The exterior shots of the hospital used in Casualty were formerly filmed at the City of Bristol College
City of Bristol College
City of Bristol College is one of the largest further education colleges in the UK. Based in Bristol, the College continues to gain national recognition for its work with adults, young people and employers.- Awards :* LSIS Beacon status...
, but are now shot on an industrial estate at 51.459094°N 2.567030°W, close to the interior set of the hospital. It was announced on 15 October 2008 that the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
is considering moving the filming of Casualty to studios in Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
. On 26 March 2009, the BBC confirmed the move. As of late 2011, Casualty will be filmed on a purpose built studio and backlot set at the BBC Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
51.4627°N 3.1565°W.
Wards and departments
As of 2002, four main wards have formed the focus of storylines within the hospital. In Casualty, the primary location is the hospital's Emergency DepartmentEmergency department
An emergency department , also known as accident & emergency , emergency room , emergency ward , or casualty department is a medical treatment facility specialising in acute care of patients who present without prior appointment, either by their own means or by ambulance...
(formerly referred to as Accident and Emergency). Holby City is set between the hospital's Acute Assessment Unit
Acute Assessment Unit
An acute assessment unit, or acute admissions unit, is a short-stay department in some hospitals that is sometimes part of the emergency department, although a separate department. The AAU acts as a gateway between a patient's general practitioner, the emergency department, and the wards of the...
, and Keller and Darwin wards, providing General
General surgery
General surgery, despite its name, is a surgical specialty that focuses on abdominal organs, e.g., intestines including esophagus, stomach, small bowel, colon, liver, pancreas, gallbladder and bile ducts, and often the thyroid gland . They also deal with diseases involving the skin, breast, soft...
and Cardiothoracic
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Cardiothoracic surgery is the field of medicine involved in surgical treatment of diseases affecting organs inside the thorax —generally treatment of conditions of the heart and lungs .-Cardiac / Thoracic:...
surgical care respectively. Recently Holby expanded by adding "Holby Care", a private healthcare ward led by Michael Spence
Michael Spence (fictional character)
Michael Spence is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Holby City, portrayed by actor Hari Dhillon. The character first appeared on 20 November 2007, in the episode "Unfinished Symphony" - episode six of the show's tenth series. Dhillon had formerly appeared in the show on a recurring...
. Recently a new department was formed just of the ED called 'Clinical Decision Unit' part off the ED headed by Adam Tureman. Former storylines have also focused around the hospital's Otter ward, providing paediatric care, as well as its maternity
Maternity
Maternity or motherhood is the social and legal acknowledgment of the parental relationship between a mother and her child.It is specially related with the protection of the baby and the mother within and after the childbirth.-See also:...
ward. Otter ward has not featured in the show since series 4, whilst the maternity ward ceased usage as a primary location in series 8; despite no longer being seen on-screen, both of these wards are still occasionally referred to in dialogue.
In 2011, Downton and Perry are shown to be psychiatric wards at the hospital. (Series 25, Episode 23 "Place of Safety")
Holby Ambulance Service
Holby Ambulance Service is the fictional ambulance service which serves Holby City Hospital - also appearing in the two hospital dramas CasualtyCasualty (TV series)
Casualty, stylised as Casual+y, is a British weekly television show broadcast on BBC One, and the longest-running emergency medical drama television series in the world. Created by Jeremy Brock and Paul Unwin, it was first broadcast on 6 September 1986, and transmitted in the UK on BBC One. The...
and Holby City
Holby City
Holby City, stylised as Holby Ci+y, is a British medical drama television series that airs weekly on BBC One.The series was created by Tony McHale and Mal Young as a spin-off from the established BBC medical drama Casualty, and premiered on 12 January 1999...
. The vehicles and uniforms used on the shows derive from Great Western Ambulance Service
Great Western Ambulance Service
The Great Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust is a UK National Health Service trust providing emergency and non emergency patient transport services to Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire in the South West England region...
, which serves Bristol where Casualty is filmed. Paramedic advisors working on the show are often from Great Western Ambulance Service. Although the ambulance service is only seen in Holby City very rarely, Casualty has featured paramedic
Paramedic
A paramedic is a healthcare professional that works in emergency medical situations. Paramedics provide advanced levels of care for medical emergencies and trauma. The majority of paramedics are based in the field in ambulances, emergency response vehicles, or in specialist mobile units such as...
characters as a key part of the cast since the show's 1986 conception.
Holby South
Holby South is the fictional police station in which HolbyBlueHolbyBlue
HolbyBlue was a British police drama series that aired on BBC One from 2007 to 2008. Produced by the BBC, Red Planet Pictures and Kudos for BBC One, it is a spin-off of the successful BBC One medical drama Holby City, itself a spin-off of the long-running series Casualty.The first series was...
was based in its two series run.