RPA - Returns to Channel Nine - Wednesday 22 August

Hope returns
All new to Wednesday night

Australia’s leading real-life medical series, RPA, returns to Channel Nine on Wednesday, August 22 at 8.30pm.

Narrated by Max Cullen, the new one-hour episodes in the 13th season of RPA tell even more stories of the brave and inspiring people who pass through Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney every day.

With access to one of Australia’s leading hospitals the cameras capture around-the-clock drama, giving viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the emergency wards and operating theatres to understand the devotion, dedication and perseverance of Royal Prince Alfred’s doctors and nurses.

In the series return we meet Laurence, a 19-year-old who has been described as a medical phenomenon. Few patients with his condition make it into their teenage years but he is fighting on. He was born with a complex congenital heart disease that meant several vital functions in his heart were missing. The late Doctor Victor Chang was the first surgeon to operate on him when he was just nine hours old and Laurence has since had six more cardiac operations. But now he’s in trouble again.

Lyndal, a 28-year-old mother of three young children who blames her constant headaches on bad sinuses, receives the shocking news that they are caused by a brain tumour. But that’s just the beginning, as she waits to find out if the tumour is malignant.

Andrew, 39-years-old, is in big trouble after falling six metres through a roof on a demolition site. He is rushed to RPA’s Emergency Department in an ambulance with a large head wound and multiple fractures, including smashed kneecaps and a fractured spine.

In part one of Andrew’s story, doctors make some tough decisions as they assess which one of his many injuries should be dealt with first.

And it wasn’t baby Dominic’s crying that kept his parents awake, it was his loud snoring. As Dominic grew he developed sleep apnoea and by the time he turned five was too tired to join in school activities. The culprit is a huge pair of tonsils that almost meet in the middle of his throat.

RPA is a Nine Network series, produced with the co-operation of patients at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and the staff of the Sydney South West Area Health Service.

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  • Jayne Jenkins

    is there any update on doctor chris o brien i heard that his tumour had returned.

  • Anonymous

    I am trying to locate a copy of an RPA programme which screened sometime in 2003/20004 on a girl having an operation for Thyroid disease.
    Your assistance would be much appreciated.
    please email me your response to
    margaret.carlyle@hotmail.com

  • Sonja

    I would like to send an e-mail to Daniel (amputee from most recent episode) to let him know how I was inspired by his courage. Would you please be able to help me with a contact e-mail address for Daniel in order that I can express my admiration? Thank you in anticipation. Regards Sonja

  • stel

    I would like to get Daniel’s parents address in order to write to them, and just tell them how amazing their son is.
    What is their surname, maybe there is a support group or Daniel group on Facebook. Thank you

  • Rebekah

    Hi Sonja, I hate to say but Daniel has passed away on the 19th of Feb. They showed it at the end of last night’s show. I was so upset to hear that, it looked as if everything was going to be ok.

    My thoughts are with his family and friends.

  • Judi

    I was deeply saddened when I watched last night’s episode of RPA to learn of Daniel’s passing. He was such a courageous young man and an inspiration to us all. He was a young man who showed great courage. Let us all think twice about complaining. To have our health is to have everything.
    My Deepest sympathy goes to Daniel’s Family.
    He will be kept in our Prayers.

  • Carmelita

    I just signed in to find out how Daniel`s recovery was going. So shocked and saddened to discover he has died. My children and I were stunned at his courage and may we say he looked amazing on his Grad night. We are sooooo glad he got his wish to go. Please convey our sadness to his parents. Such a trajic loss. CC

  • Victoria McIvor

    I have just watched Chris O’Brien and what a wonderful and brave human being he is.
    It is truly heartwarming to see him thinking of others while fighting his own cancer battle.Amazing to see how positive thinking has helped him,how proud his family must be.Our thoughts and prayers are with u Chris and family..

  • Fiona Kelly

    Can anyone tell us of Belinda, the school teacher with liver transplant, has fared after her operations and later complications?

  • Fiona Kelly

    Can anyone tell us what happened to Belinda, school teacher who had a liver transplant, following her operation. Her personality and courage was very touching.