0:00:02 > 0:00:03In the next half an hour:
0:00:03 > 0:00:05The medical drama that's stranger than fiction.
0:00:05 > 0:00:09We go ringside to reveal the behind-the-scenes fights that have
0:00:09 > 0:00:13had the NHS boss who led Newcastle hospitals for decades on the ropes.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17I would like an inquiry to find out why things went so drastically wrong
0:00:17 > 0:00:21because they're brought one of the finest trusts if not the best
0:00:21 > 0:00:26trust in the UK into disrepute.
0:00:26 > 0:00:28The lifeblood of the NHS - we're with the North's
0:00:28 > 0:00:32transfusion service trying to find a perfect match.
0:00:32 > 0:00:37We get a lot of care through the NHS, it's my way
0:00:37 > 0:00:41of giving something back.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44And going out on a limb - the Tyneside doctors
0:00:44 > 0:00:48using drainpipes and recycled tyres to transform lives in one
0:00:48 > 0:00:50of the poorest countries on earth.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53The idea was about making them for less than the cost
0:00:53 > 0:00:55of a mobile phone.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57We're talking about ?30.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00That can change somone's life.
0:01:00 > 0:01:05I'm Chris Jackson and this is Inside Out.
0:01:13 > 0:01:17When the man who led Newcastle's prestigious NHS hospitals
0:01:17 > 0:01:21was suddenly removed from his ?300,000-a-year job
0:01:21 > 0:01:25and sent on extended leave, no-one was saying why.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28But tonight I can reveal the inside story which has been
0:01:28 > 0:01:32surrounded by rancour, rumour and lurid speculation
0:01:32 > 0:01:35and where those in the know have proved very reluctant
0:01:35 > 0:01:39to speak on the record.
0:01:40 > 0:01:41A wanted man.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44Sir Len Fenwick.
0:01:44 > 0:01:4770 this year, he's Britain's longest serving hospital chief executive.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51He controls an annual budget of close to ?1 billion.
0:01:51 > 0:01:56But for the last three months Sir Len has not been at his desk.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00Why?
0:02:00 > 0:02:01Officially he's on extended leave but we understand
0:02:01 > 0:02:04that on 10th January, Sir Len was escorted
0:02:04 > 0:02:06from his headquarters at the Freeman hospital -
0:02:06 > 0:02:09and since then he's been barred from the premises.
0:02:10 > 0:02:11Why?
0:02:11 > 0:02:14For months, no-one would say.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18Sir Len rose to the top after joining the NHS as a teenage
0:02:18 > 0:02:21hospital clerk 53 years ago.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24During his time, the Trust has won international recognition
0:02:24 > 0:02:27for its pioneering work and it was rated as
0:02:27 > 0:02:30outstanding last year.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34Sir Len has championed hospital services in Newcastle Upon Tyne
0:02:34 > 0:02:36for all of his working life.
0:02:36 > 0:02:43He's been knighted on the recommendation
0:02:43 > 0:02:46of the Prime Minster to the Queen for his services to the NHS.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48I'm told there are investigations under way but I'm not told
0:02:48 > 0:02:51what is being investigated.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54I mean, the brutal truth is I've tried very hard to find out
0:02:54 > 0:02:56and I'm still none the wiser.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58So why the change in fortunes?
0:02:58 > 0:03:00We want to give you a straight answer but few people
0:03:00 > 0:03:04will talk openly.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06In private, talk is rife of a bruising fight with the powers
0:03:06 > 0:03:09that be at the highest level.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11Round one.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14In the red corner, Sir Len.
0:03:14 > 0:03:20In the blue corner, Jim Mackey.
0:03:20 > 0:03:25It's an open secret that Sir Len isn't Jim Mackey's biggest fan.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28Mr Mackey is currently in charge of the organisation reshaping
0:03:28 > 0:03:31hospital services across England, but the pair are old sparring
0:03:31 > 0:03:35partners from their time running neighbouring health trusts.
0:03:35 > 0:03:40What we do know is they both run very big organisations that
0:03:40 > 0:03:43are outstanding and both foundation trusts so there is a level
0:03:43 > 0:03:44of competition between them.
0:03:44 > 0:03:48We saw a number of years ago both trusts, Northumbria Heathcare
0:03:48 > 0:03:52and Newcastle Hospitals, bid to acquire neighbouring
0:03:52 > 0:03:55Cumbria University hospitals trust.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58Northumbria was successful in that though Sir Leonard wanted it
0:03:58 > 0:04:02for his trust so he has spoken out against that decision.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05We also know that when Northumbria was setting up its specialist
0:04:05 > 0:04:08emergency care hospital in Cramlington, Sir Leonard spoke
0:04:08 > 0:04:12out against that as well.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14We've obtained a document which suggests that some of the most
0:04:14 > 0:04:18senior medics were so worried about the breakdown in relations
0:04:18 > 0:04:23and the possuble damage to their Trust it became the main
0:04:23 > 0:04:29topic of debate at a private meeting lasting an hour and a half.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33At the meeting the doctors demanded Sir Len should engage fully
0:04:33 > 0:04:36with new developments in the NHS and said they had no concerns
0:04:36 > 0:04:39relating to Mr Mackey.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42We don't know whether all the trust doctors agree with this
0:04:42 > 0:04:45and Sir Len hasn't commented, but at his last interview
0:04:45 > 0:04:49with the BBC, he whispered his view that he was being pushed out
0:04:49 > 0:04:51to make changes.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11A spokesman for Jim Mackey told us that his working relationship
0:05:11 > 0:05:15with Sir Len does not form the subject of any investigation.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18He'd recused himself from any involvement in the matter
0:05:18 > 0:05:24and his return to Northumbria has been planned since 2015.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27And the Newcastle Hospital Trusts told us that it was simply untrue
0:05:27 > 0:05:31to suggest that any named individual is being lined up
0:05:31 > 0:05:34as a replacement for Sir Len.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37Round two.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40In the red corner, Sir Len.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44This time in the blue corner, staff relations.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47There's no doubt Sir Len is a heavyweight who has
0:05:47 > 0:05:48punched through changes.
0:05:48 > 0:05:56That hasn't always won him friends.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58In the minutes of the doctors' meeting, senior staff said
0:05:58 > 0:06:01they feared a backlash if they raise concerns about the
0:06:01 > 0:06:03future of the Trust.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06They say they want to express their opinions "without fear
0:06:06 > 0:06:11of retribution and intimidation".
0:06:11 > 0:06:14We contacted many of the consultants at the meeting.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16None would speak.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18But a senior manager and senior clinician,
0:06:18 > 0:06:22who were not at the meeting but worked closely with Sir Len,
0:06:22 > 0:06:30did agree to talk providing we did not reveal their identities.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33Ultimately it's a vote of no confidence.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37Given its content it is very damning.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39I've never known anything like it before.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42The fact that this senior group of doctors are saying anything
0:06:42 > 0:06:45critical of Len is unheard of.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47Previously everyone was reluctant to say anything in such
0:06:47 > 0:06:51an open forum whatever their opinions might be.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55He would put everyone on edge at the start of the meetings.
0:06:55 > 0:06:56It was full on.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59There was an element of, who will get it today?
0:06:59 > 0:07:03It was public knowledge that so and so was in trouble.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06He would pick on people in an aggressive style,
0:07:06 > 0:07:09using aggressive language, pointing fingers,
0:07:09 > 0:07:12using his whole stature.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15And Sir Len was well known for taking a very focused
0:07:15 > 0:07:20and unusual approach to checking out what was happening in his hospitals.
0:07:20 > 0:07:25He would go around and take pictures as evidence, usually at night.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29He was discovered one night in a dinner jacket in the RVI.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33He used to come into the hospital at all hours.
0:07:33 > 0:07:43We've seen other documents that show how things
0:07:48 > 0:07:49came to a head late last
0:07:49 > 0:07:52year after a trust director made serious serious allegations
0:07:52 > 0:07:54of bullying and abusive behavior by Sir Len.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56An HR consultant has now been brought in by the Trust
0:07:56 > 0:07:59to investigate the allegations and she's expected to report back
0:07:59 > 0:08:00in the next few days.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02The Trust told us it would not comment on individuals but
0:08:02 > 0:08:05it does not condone any instance of aggressive management style.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08It said staff could raise concerns without fear of reprisals.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10We wanted to talk to Sir Len but he's barred from
0:08:10 > 0:08:12speaking to the press.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14Sources close to him told us that he believes there's nothing
0:08:14 > 0:08:17in the allegations and he's paying the price for standing up
0:08:17 > 0:08:21to doctors in the past.
0:08:21 > 0:08:26Sir Len's his own man and he does have a strong independent style.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30If he thinks what he's being asked to do by whichever
0:08:30 > 0:08:34government is wrong, he'll say so.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37Well, he was autocratic, I can't say anything
0:08:37 > 0:08:39other than that, really.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43He would call a spade a spade.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46With hindsight as we get older we create sort of waves
0:08:46 > 0:08:48what we've created in the past.
0:08:48 > 0:08:53Sometimes they come back to bite our bum.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56Round three.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59In the red corner, Sir Len.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03In the blue corner, Kingsley Smith.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07Last year Sir Len threw his hat into the ring in a bid to succeed
0:09:07 > 0:09:08Mr Smith as trust chairman.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10That worried some senior doctors.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13In their meeting they said that Sir Len's application could not be
0:09:13 > 0:09:16supported and that the level of gossip within the organization
0:09:16 > 0:09:21was undermining the Trust's reputation.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24But now Mr Smith is also under fire, with claims he is hiding the facts
0:09:24 > 0:09:26from the Governors who oversee the running of the Trust,
0:09:26 > 0:09:32and it's led to this letter of complaint.
0:09:32 > 0:09:37Silence is not golden in this case and the lack of transparency
0:09:37 > 0:09:41is unacceptable given the Trust is a publicly funded institution.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44It's not the way you do business.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47There are many ways of sorting out differences
0:09:47 > 0:09:49without going into humiliation.
0:09:49 > 0:09:53It obviously put a very unfortunate question mark right at the end
0:09:53 > 0:09:56of an illustrious career.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59The Trust said it was untrue that governors had been barred
0:09:59 > 0:10:02from speaking about Sir Len's absence and they do not have line
0:10:02 > 0:10:06management responsibility for the chief executive.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10So do all of these unseemly bust-ups really matter?
0:10:10 > 0:10:14Well, Sir Len earns a third of a million pounds a year.
0:10:14 > 0:10:18At this vital time for NHS so far he has been paid around ?80,000
0:10:18 > 0:10:21while not going to work.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24It should have been resolved before now and it certainly should be
0:10:24 > 0:10:29brought to a resolution and a negotiated conclusion
0:10:29 > 0:10:33as quickly as can be as long as that is compatible with fairness
0:10:33 > 0:10:39and natural justice.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41Recent newspaper reports that Sir Len was suspended
0:10:41 > 0:10:44because he forced the resignation of two doctors, who were caught
0:10:44 > 0:10:48having sex on hospital premises, has been categorically denied
0:10:48 > 0:10:49by the Trust.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52It described the decision to place Sir Len on extended leave
0:10:52 > 0:10:56as a "neutral act" and does not imply any wrongdoing on his part
0:10:56 > 0:10:59and is in no way impacting on the quality of services
0:11:00 > 0:11:03that the Trust provides.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07I would like an inquiry to find out why things went so drastically wrong
0:11:07 > 0:11:10because they're brought one of the finest trusts,
0:11:10 > 0:11:15if not the best trust in the UK, into disrepute.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17We've been told Sir Len's future could be decided
0:11:17 > 0:11:19by the end of the week.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22What we don't know is whether it'll be total knock-out
0:11:22 > 0:11:27or a remarkable comeback.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32It's public money that's in play here, so even though those
0:11:32 > 0:11:35at the centre of the storm are remaining tight-lipped
0:11:35 > 0:11:36you don't have to.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39Let me know your thoughts by tweet or email.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43Details are on the screen now.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49If you end up in a hospital operating theatre you probably
0:11:49 > 0:11:54assume there'll be blood available should you need it.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56But the transfusion service is crying out for young blood -
0:11:56 > 0:11:59quite literally - because donors are getting older.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02We've been following the work of the transfusion service
0:12:02 > 0:12:04here in the North to see how they ensure those
0:12:04 > 0:12:10blood supplies keep flowing.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15Peterlee Methodist Church in County Durham.
0:12:15 > 0:12:21One of the North East's most popular blood donor sessions gets under way.
0:12:21 > 0:12:26They're hoping for at least 100 donors to turn up today.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28I was just passing in the town centre and I called in
0:12:28 > 0:12:32on the off chance.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35The guys are good but they never have chocolate Club biscuit anymore,
0:12:35 > 0:12:36not the fruit ones.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38It's the only reason I come, really.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40The donor carers do the screening and take the blood.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44Stephen has been doing the job for five years.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48This is the reason we come to do our work day in and day out.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51On certain bags we can take platelets from the blood
0:12:51 > 0:12:54and in others just red cells.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56Platelets are important to help people clot if there was ever
0:12:56 > 0:12:59an injury or accident.
0:12:59 > 0:13:04Men can give blood every 12 weeks, women every 16 weeks.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08Sharon is here for her 40th donation.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11My husband and daughter both have multiple sclerosis.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13My husband used to give blood, and then
0:13:13 > 0:13:18after the diagnosis he had to stop.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22We get a lot of care through the NHS over the years.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25It's my way of giving something back.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27At present supply is adequate.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30Enough people are coming forward to maintain a stock
0:13:30 > 0:13:35of 1.7 million units of blood.
0:13:35 > 0:13:40But there are areas of shortage and a longer term concern.
0:13:40 > 0:13:41The donors are getting older.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45In the year to March almost 51,000 people in the North East gave blood
0:13:45 > 0:13:52but more than half were aged 45 and over.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55Over the past decade we've seen a 40% fall in the number
0:13:55 > 0:13:58of new young donors coming forward to donate for the first time.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01We need those new donors to replace donors that maybe for medical
0:14:01 > 0:14:02reasons can't donate any more or have come
0:14:02 > 0:14:04to the end of their donation
0:14:04 > 0:14:06career, so in total we need about 200,000 new donors
0:14:06 > 0:14:13coming forward every year to replace those lost donors.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17Donated blood saved three-year-old Farah's life.
0:14:17 > 0:14:21At 21 months she had surgery to remove a brain tumour,
0:14:21 > 0:14:25followed by a year of chemotherapy.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28She had 40 blood and platelet transfusions.
0:14:28 > 0:14:33Without them and her operation she wouldn't be here today.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35We knew when her blood counts had dropped.
0:14:35 > 0:14:41She'd go pale, she'd be anaemic, tired and under the weather.
0:14:41 > 0:14:45Then she'd have a blood transfusion and be jumping around.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48It never entered my head to give blood, which is absolutely terrible,
0:14:49 > 0:14:51because it's so easy to do.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53It's certainly made us as a family try and
0:14:53 > 0:14:56encourage people to give blood.
0:14:58 > 0:15:03Relax this hand.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05Ten seconds, darling.
0:15:05 > 0:15:06Sorted, lovely.
0:15:06 > 0:15:07It's coming out red.
0:15:07 > 0:15:08That's a bonus.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10The blood is rocked to mix it with a chemical
0:15:11 > 0:15:12and stop it clotting.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14Donors do exercises to aid the flow.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17Keep our bum and thigh squeezes going for me.
0:15:17 > 0:15:22Keep doing the action with the hand there.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25Still as comfortable as comfortable can be?
0:15:25 > 0:15:29There's a PG Tips and a custard cream with your name on it.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31That's what you've come for.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33You're living the life.
0:15:33 > 0:15:40You're living the dream.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43You'll just feel a slight prick on the end of your thumb.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45Donors usually give a unit of blood.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47Well, I'll bid you good day, thank you very much.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49If you want any more, do get in touch.
0:15:50 > 0:15:51Where are you going?
0:15:51 > 0:15:53To have my tea and biscuits.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56A unit is just less than a pint.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59I don't mind giving a reasonable amount, but a pint?
0:15:59 > 0:16:06That's very nearly an armful.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08Collection, treatment and distribution mean
0:16:08 > 0:16:12each unit of blood costs, on average, ?120.
0:16:12 > 0:16:13It's still warm.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15They're like little hot water bottles.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18This needs to be tested within ten hours of coming out
0:16:18 > 0:16:21of the vein of the donor.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24It does a lot of miles, the blood does go
0:16:24 > 0:16:25here, there and everywhere.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29It'll do more miles than the donor's done today, put it that way.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33More than 6000 blood donations are needed across England every day.
0:16:33 > 0:16:37Donors must be screened before they give blood.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39Any chance you could be pregnant at the moment?
0:16:39 > 0:16:40No.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42Any pregnancies in the last six months?
0:16:42 > 0:16:43No.
0:16:43 > 0:16:44Laura is 22.
0:16:44 > 0:16:45A rare young donor.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48In the last 28 days have you had sex with anyone who had
0:16:48 > 0:16:49a diagnosis of the Zika virus?
0:16:49 > 0:16:51No.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53We just need to do the finger test now.
0:16:53 > 0:16:54This is the worst part.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57I do try to encourage my friends to give blood.
0:16:57 > 0:17:01Some of them come but a lot of them are scared of needles.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04Some of them come but a lot of them are scared of needles.
0:17:04 > 0:17:05Laura's blood, O negative, is particularly valuable.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08Only 7% of the population have O negative.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12That can be given to all blood groups, but I can only
0:17:12 > 0:17:14receive O negative.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16So it's used in emergencies and things like that
0:17:16 > 0:17:20if they don't have time to find out people's blood.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23It's estimated one in four of us will need a blood transfusion
0:17:23 > 0:17:27at some point in our lives.
0:17:30 > 0:17:35Getting minority groups to donate is a major issue.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40A very small minority of donors are black or Asian,
0:17:40 > 0:17:47well below the 14% of the population they represent.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50Nam is the only member of an ethnic minority to donate today.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54This is her third time, but there's a problem.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57They can't get nothing out of my arm yet on this one,
0:17:57 > 0:17:59so they're going to try this one.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02I'm just happy to help people if they need my blood,
0:18:02 > 0:18:08you know and to sign up for the bone marrow today because not many Asian
0:18:08 > 0:18:11background people will have this.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14Not everyone who volunteers can donate.
0:18:14 > 0:18:19I'm a type one diabetic, so I've been declined.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23I'm not allowed to donate, with me injecting insulin.
0:18:23 > 0:18:24I'm sad.
0:18:24 > 0:18:26I'm sad because I want to.
0:18:26 > 0:18:31I vowed that once I was able to i'd give blood.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34I vowed that once I was able to, I'd give blood.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36My wife had a postnatal haemorrhage.
0:18:36 > 0:18:37I feared the worst.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39Thankfully, the specialist was able to get her stabilised.
0:18:39 > 0:18:40And it was a lot of units.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42I'm a little early.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45I didn't think it would look like this.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48Donors must be at least 17 to give blood.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51They test your blood to make sure I'm fit and well.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55Because if you have bad blood the other person
0:18:55 > 0:18:58will have bad blood.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00They've got to make sure you've got good blood.
0:19:00 > 0:19:01Healthy blood.
0:19:01 > 0:19:02Is mammy brave?
0:19:02 > 0:19:03Yes.
0:19:03 > 0:19:04I think she's brave as well.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06Are you going to look after her tonight?
0:19:06 > 0:19:07Yeah.
0:19:07 > 0:19:08Good lass.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11More than a hundred units were collected today but mostly
0:19:11 > 0:19:13from people older than 45.
0:19:13 > 0:19:19The challenge is to get those vital young donors to attend.
0:19:19 > 0:19:23All our blood bags have to catch a shuttle to Leeds this evening,
0:19:23 > 0:19:26which will move everything on to Manchester in ten hours
0:19:26 > 0:19:29to be tested and processed.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32The bag this evening can be potentially used within a fortnight,
0:19:32 > 0:19:36but it has a shelf life of 30 days.
0:19:36 > 0:19:37I'm happy.
0:19:37 > 0:19:38Our boss is happy.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40Everyone's winning.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43Happy days.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51You can also save lives in the most unexpected way.
0:19:51 > 0:19:55Amputees in one of the poorest parts of Asia who would otherwise struggle
0:19:55 > 0:19:58to fend for themselves have had their lives transformed by two
0:19:58 > 0:20:02trainee medics from Newcastle who are using drain pipes
0:20:02 > 0:20:07to create artificial limbs.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14Far from home, on some of the world's most treacherous roads.
0:20:14 > 0:20:19I think me and Zaamin thought we were going to die.
0:20:19 > 0:20:23Into the heart of one of the poorest parts of Bangladesh.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26Life is really tough for these people.
0:20:26 > 0:20:31Across a land they'll never forget.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34We were blown away by the beauty of the area.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37It was full of rivers, deltas, greenery.
0:20:37 > 0:20:46They battled baking heat...
0:20:46 > 0:20:50As soon as we arrived the power went off and it's 35 degrees now.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52When it rained, it really did rain.
0:20:52 > 0:20:53The streets were flooded.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56The two have been good mates since their school days in Newcastle.
0:20:56 > 0:21:01And now both study medicine.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03Last summer they set out on a mission to use
0:21:03 > 0:21:07their growing skills in one of Asia's poorest countries.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09In Bangladesh, medical treatment is beyond the reach
0:21:09 > 0:21:13of tens of millions.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16Matt and Zaamin travelled to an isolated clinic in the north,
0:21:16 > 0:21:19run by a British charity, where a coconut can double
0:21:19 > 0:21:25as an effective intravenous drip.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28They're here to set up a clinic for amputees - the first
0:21:28 > 0:21:30of its type in the country.
0:21:30 > 0:21:35Their first patient - carried in by his father.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43Shiblu is a 16-year-old boy who was born without a leg.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46He has never been able to walk.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48He hasn't been able to go to school.
0:21:48 > 0:21:53He was a very small boy because he hasn't had
0:21:53 > 0:21:56the stimulation of being able to walk around, which was
0:21:56 > 0:22:00very upsetting for us to see.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02Does anyone laugh at you?
0:22:02 > 0:22:06HE TRANSLATES.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08Yes.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12If you are happy we can take some measurements of your leg.
0:22:12 > 0:22:16He really does have a difficult life and he told us how he was bullied
0:22:16 > 0:22:24by his school friends for being different to them.
0:22:24 > 0:22:29The next day, Matt and Zaamin set off to meet Shiblu in his village.
0:22:35 > 0:22:43It was brilliant to meet his mum and dad who look after him so well.
0:22:43 > 0:22:47Just playing football with him we could see he was a very bright
0:22:47 > 0:22:52boy who wanted to do well, who was talented.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54But this isn't just a social call.
0:22:54 > 0:22:59This is a vital part of the process of getting Shiblu on two feet.
0:22:59 > 0:23:03Once again, though, they're short of resources.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06Because we didn't have the equipment that we have in the UK,
0:23:06 > 0:23:10we had to improvise using plastic bags and gaffer tape to form
0:23:10 > 0:23:13a protection for his stump.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16We have taken a cast of his stump here which we can use
0:23:16 > 0:23:21to create a prosthesis.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24It'll be many months before Shiblu will receive his new leg
0:23:24 > 0:23:27and there are plenty more patients for Matt and Zaamin to see.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29Being an amputee in that kind of environment
0:23:29 > 0:23:32is extremely difficult.
0:23:32 > 0:23:33People have very hard lives.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37We're just scraping the surface.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40In the entire country there are thousands
0:23:40 > 0:23:44and thousands of people in need of a service like this.
0:23:44 > 0:23:49That service was set up by a British charity called the Naya Qadam Trust.
0:23:49 > 0:23:54Artificial limbs are made with melted drain pipes
0:23:54 > 0:23:57and recycled rubber tyres - all for a fraction of the cost
0:23:57 > 0:24:00of those in the UK.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03The beauty of this project is the limbs are so cheap.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06When they were originally made, the idea was to make them cheaper
0:24:06 > 0:24:09than the cost of a mobile phone.
0:24:09 > 0:24:13We're talking ?30 here - that can change someone's life.
0:24:13 > 0:24:15Mohammed Surouzzaman is hoping that's true.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18He lost a leg in a farm accident.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22It was tragic to hear how his whole livelihood
0:24:23 > 0:24:26had disappeared in that one moment.
0:24:26 > 0:24:31After that, he was unable to provide for his family.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33He went onto begging which he is still doing now.
0:24:33 > 0:24:39Sometimes he said his family wasn't able to eat.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48Matt and Zaamin travel to see another patient.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50Bangladesh has many waterways.
0:24:50 > 0:24:55Travel by boat is common.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00Nazeem, who's 18, lost his leg three years ago.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03Again, a farming accident.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05He now works in a shop.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08He has been confined to sewing every day to support his family.
0:25:08 > 0:25:13He has had to put his studies on hold, so having a prosthetic limb
0:25:13 > 0:25:17would make a massive difference to his life.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19It was an amazing three weeks.
0:25:19 > 0:25:23But the pair needed to leave their patients to return to the UK,
0:25:23 > 0:25:28where there is much to be done in support of the project.
0:25:28 > 0:25:29Thanks very much, everyone.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31It's an absolute pleasure to be back.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33Today they're visiting the place they became friends,
0:25:33 > 0:25:36the Royal Grammar School in Newcastle.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39We're here to talk to you today about a project we started
0:25:39 > 0:25:41in the summer in Bangladesh.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43Without money to pay for the prosthetic limbs that Shiblu
0:25:43 > 0:25:46and the others so badly need, their mission to Bangladesh
0:25:46 > 0:25:49will have been in vain.
0:25:49 > 0:25:53The visit prompts donations of almost ?1000 from the students.
0:25:53 > 0:25:58That's added to more than ?7000 raised by the young doctors.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00But that's not all.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02They want to spread the word about their work
0:26:02 > 0:26:05with a visit to the Bangladeshi community in Gateshead.
0:26:05 > 0:26:09So I have a video on my laptop I'd love you to see.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12Our clinic had turned into a river.
0:26:12 > 0:26:16If you need any help from us, you can contact us,
0:26:16 > 0:26:21we will try to support you as much as we can.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23That was absolutely amazing, everyone was so welcoming to us,
0:26:23 > 0:26:26it was brilliant to see the reactions to the video
0:26:26 > 0:26:33and things we'd been doing and I can't wait to go back now.
0:26:33 > 0:26:37Sadly for Matt and Zaamin, the next visit is without them
0:26:37 > 0:26:39but the project's founder is there to finish
0:26:39 > 0:26:42the job they started.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45Up first - the tailor, Nazeem.
0:26:54 > 0:27:02For the first time in three years, Nazeem can walk tall.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06And the farm worker Mohammed Surouzzaman also has no
0:27:06 > 0:27:16need of his crutches - even if these are faltering first steps.
0:27:24 > 0:27:24Their life
0:27:24 > 0:27:24Their life is
0:27:24 > 0:27:25Their life is transformed.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27They will go about their day to day activities and
0:27:27 > 0:27:28earn their own living.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30Finally it's back to Shiblu's village.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33This is a huge day in his young life.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38It doesn't take long before Shiblu's putting his new leg to the test -
0:27:38 > 0:27:43and doing what most boys would do.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46Having a prosthetic limb will make a massive difference to his life.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49He'll be able to get a good education.
0:27:49 > 0:27:53He'll be able to socialise and play sports with his friends.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56He won't be stigmatised because he doesn't have a leg,
0:27:56 > 0:27:59because he looks different.
0:27:59 > 0:28:03More than 70 people have been fitted with new limbs thanks to the money
0:28:03 > 0:28:07raised back on Tyneside.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10Now we're manufacturing these limbs, it brings a huge
0:28:10 > 0:28:11amount of hope to people.
0:28:11 > 0:28:15It is a massive thing for us to be able to deliver to people
0:28:15 > 0:28:20and will make an enormous difference to their lives.
0:28:20 > 0:28:24We'll definitely go back and make sure this project is something
0:28:24 > 0:28:29we can continue into the future, we can keep this legacy going.
0:28:34 > 0:28:38What a great pair of lads those two are, and what a lovely way
0:28:38 > 0:28:41to end tonight's show.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44Next week, the fraudster who got his hands on a County Durham
0:28:44 > 0:28:46mansion has been locked up - but what's happened
0:28:47 > 0:28:51to the historic hall?
0:28:51 > 0:28:52See you next week.
0:28:52 > 0:28:54Until then, from Stockton, Goodnight.
0:29:08 > 0:29:10Hello, I'm Riz Lateef with your 90-second update.
0:29:10 > 0:29:12Did some of President Trump's team collude with Russia
0:29:12 > 0:29:13during his election campaign?
0:29:13 > 0:29:15The head of the FBI says they are investigating the claims,
0:29:15 > 0:29:19but says there's no evidence President Obama bugged Trump Tower.
0:29:19 > 0:29:21The Prime Minister will give the formal go-ahead for Brexit
0:29:21 > 0:29:22in nine days' time.
0:29:22 > 0:29:24Theresa May will trigger what's known as Article 50,
0:29:24 > 0:29:27kicking off two years of divorce negotiations with
0:29:27 > 0:29:29the European Union.
0:29:29 > 0:29:32Google has apologised for letting adverts appear next
0:29:32 > 0:29:34to offensive videos on YouTube.
0:29:34 > 0:29:36A number of big British companies like Marks and Spencer
0:29:36 > 0:29:39have pulled their ads as a result.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42She was known as "The Forces Sweetheart" in World War Two.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45So where better to project a huge image of Dame Vera Lynn to celebrate
0:29:45 > 0:29:47the singer's 100th birthday?
0:29:47 > 0:29:50The White Cliffs of Dover, of course.
0:29:50 > 0:29:52And the world's biggest flawless pink diamond has gone
0:29:52 > 0:29:54on display in London, before it's sold in
0:29:54 > 0:29:56Hong Kong next month.