Emergency part 1 - trauma

Trauma is a radiophonic observational audio documentary set in the Trauma and Emergency ward at the Alfred Hospital, Melbourne. Thematically the program explores what place the big questions have in an environment equipped to maintain the mechanics of life from one brief moment to the next.
Most radio documentaries adopt an essay style and studio focus. This work, takes us into the heart of a place where life-changing events occur with relentless regularity against a background of routine order. Rather than report or remember, staff and patients actually share their experiences of suddenly arriving at the hospital or leaving it for home every day working day.
Brettle brings the kaleidoscopic experience to the listener through observational filmmaking techniques for radio documentary production. As part of her ongoing research this project employs a citadel, or container, structure as defined by documentary maker Michael Rabiger (Directing the Documentary, 2004) to explore multiple stories occurring in, and expressing aspects of, the same environment.
The program was broadcast on Soundprint Media Network, March 19, 2004; Radio Netherlands' Vox Humana, March 21, 2004; KFAI Public Radio, Minneapolis/St Paul, June 15, 2004; Radio New Zealand National Radio, June 27, 2004; ABC Radio National Health Report, February 14, 2005 and Radio Eye, February 4, 2006 and was Australian representative in Global Perspective (broadcast by national broadcasters in seven countries