The spotlight will once again fall on the extraordinary work of staff at the Royal Free London (RFL) tonight, as the award-winning documentary Hospital returns to BBC Two.

The six-part series, which begins 9pm tonight, explores the human stories behind the headlines as the RFL faces the unprecedented challenge of delivering healthcare amid the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.

The NHS is a very different place from May 2020 when BBC Two broadcast Hospital Special: Fighting Covid-19 – two episodes that were filmed from day one of lockdown.

Now, with the looming possibility of a second COVID-19 surge and the certainty of a difficult winter ahead, the RFL – a world-leader in the treatment of infectious diseases – is facing a new challenge.

Series six of Hospital focuses on how the trust is getting services up and running and treating as quickly as possible patients who could not be seen during the height of the pandemic.

Operating theatre space is at a premium, with clinicians prioritising the sickest patients and staff having to work with strict infection control guidelines to ensure the safety of patients and staff.

The first wave of COVID-19 pushed the NHS to its limits but, as this new series reveals, the battle is far from over.

Caroline Clarke, RFL group chief executive, said: “The dedication of our staff – and all of those across the NHS – was laid bare in the Hospital special episodes that were broadcast in May. But the story of how the NHS is responding to this pandemic didn’t stop there.

“The commitment of staff, in picking themselves up and going again, cannot be underestimated. The NHS is here and open for business and every single one of my colleagues from all corners of our organisation continues to go to extraordinary lengths to care for those who need us most. The Royal Free London is proud once again to be working with the BBC to share the stories of our staff and our patients during the biggest challenge of our lives.”

The new series of Hospital will begin on BBC Two at 9pm on Monday 9 November. Each episode will also be available on BBC iPlayer after broadcast.