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Burns nurse advises Coronation Street on acid attack storyline

Paul Blakemore worked with actor and soap’s hair and make-up crew to ensure storyline was ‘as authentic as possible’
Photo of burns nurse Paul Blakemore preparing actor Ryan Prescott before filming a scene

Paul Blakemore worked with actor and soap’s hair and make-up crew to ensure storyline was ‘as authentic as possible’

Photo of burns nurse Paul Blakemore preparing actor Ryan Prescott before filming a scene
Burns nurse Paul Blakemore prepares actor Ryan Prescott before filming a scene. Picture: ITV

A Yorkshire nurse had a change of scene when he was asked to advise Coronation Street on their portrayal of an acid attack storyline.

On Wednesday’s night episode of the ITV soap, actor Ryan Prescott’s character Ryan Connor removes his bandages to look at his burns injury for the first time after an acid attack by ‘evil’ character Justin Rutherford.

Nurse works with TV crew to ensure authenticity

During the filming of the show, burns nurse Paul Blakemore was invited to work in a nursing advisory role to consult make-up artists and crew to ensure the scenes were as realistic as possible.

He even advised researchers to ensure the language used between staff and patients was reflective of a real healthcare setting.

‘I hoped to help to make the show as authentic as possible,’ said Mr Blakemore, a charge nurse in the regional burns unit at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield.

‘I know that people living with horrific burns could be watching, so I wanted it to be as real as possible,’ he told Nursing Standard.

Coronation Street character Ryan Connor (Ryan Prescott) views his burns injury for the first time. Picture: ITV

Production crew receives invaluable advice

Mr Blakemore joined the make-up team on set to bandage Mr Prescott’s wounds and advise on the colour, position and progression of the acid burns.

He was also able to advise on the readings on cardiac monitor simulator to reflect a patient with a burn injuries.

‘I would dress Ryan’s wounds every time, replicating exactly for continuity on the show,' he said.

‘In the studio I elevated his arm as a burns patient's should be, and said his water and call bell should be within reaching distance so it looked real.’

Paul Blakemore (centre) with actor Ryan Prescott and members of the production crew. Picture: ITV

‘It was an honour to be a part of it’

Mr Blakemore said his thorough approach was not just for his patients, but for his nursing colleagues who are often left frustrated with medical TV shows.

‘I’ve been that nurse, especially in the 90s when I’d watch American medical dramas and I’d think that something wasn’t right. It was great to be able to help with authenticity,’ he said.

‘Once you’ve been a survivor of an acid attack and an assault like this, it is with you for life and the psychological impact is massive. For Coronation Street to highlight this is really important, and it was an honour to be a part of it.’


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