Documentary shines a light on vital NHS role

Created by second and third-year film and television students, More Than a Desk was filmed at Meon Health Practice's Whiteley and Highlands sites and offers an honest insight into the realities of working on the frontline of primary care.

Through personal testimonies and observational footage, the documentary explores the skill, empathy and resilience required of receptionists whose work is often misunderstood by the public. The film gives staff the opportunity to tell their stories in their own words, revealing the complexity of a role that sits at the heart of every patient journey.

The project formed part of a live brief, giving students the opportunity to use the skills and knowledge gained on their course to produce content for a real client.

22-year-old BA (Hons) Film and Television student Oli Holgate, who directed and edited the documentary, found that working closely with a client helped him understand the importance of communication, flexibility and collaboration throughout the production process.

“Communication is key,” he said. “You have to make sure you and the client know exactly what you are going to be filming and when the best time to film something is.

“I also learned not to become too attached to particular ideas in the edit. Clients may want changes, and it's important to stay flexible and deliver something that meets their needs.”

Commenting on having the opportunity to work on a client-led production during his studies at Solent, Oli says, “I really enjoyed getting an insight into the role of a Receptionist and what they do on a day-to-day basis, and filming the interviews really helped build my confidence and develop my documentary interview skills.”

Throughout his degree, Oli has worked on short films, documentaries, sports broadcasts and festival coverage, developing the practical skills he hopes to take into a career in the film industry.

"My ambition is to work on professional film sets in entry-level roles while continuing to make my own short films. In the future, I'd love to direct a feature film that I've written myself," he says.

Stuart Joy, Course Leader for Film and Television at Solent University, says the project demonstrates the value of giving students opportunities to tackle professional briefs before graduation.

"More Than a Desk was created to provide an honest look at the work of NHS receptionists and the important contribution they make every day," he says.

“The students produced the films entirely themselves, from planning and filming through to post-production. The project offered rare access to a working NHS environment and direct collaboration with practice staff. These experiences go well beyond the classroom."

Karen Froude, Communications and Patient Engagement Lead at Meon Health Practice, was impressed by the students' professionalism and commitment throughout the project.

"Working with third-year Film & Television students from Solent University on these two films has been an absolute pleasure," says Karen.

"From our very first meeting, the team demonstrated professionalism, creativity and genuine enthusiasm for bringing our ideas to life. Their fresh ideas, attention to detail and willingness to immerse themselves in the reality of primary care have been truly impressive whilst always maintaining a high standard of professionalism.

“They are a credit to the University. We wish Oli and the team every success in their future careers and have no doubt they have bright futures ahead of them."

The GP Practice intends to use the student-created content on its various channels to help challenge public perceptions of this vital role within the health sector.