24/07/2025
💬 "Years ago, I survived a major accident. Every case I see is someone’s second chance - just like the one I was given.”
Yesterday saw the first ever airing of a new Netflix series Critical: Between Life and Death showcases the work of the London Trauma System which includes St George's Hospital.
Meet Shan Shan Jing, Consultant Plastic and Hand Surgeon at St George’s who stars in Critical and is the focus of this week’s staff story.
This is where we hear about the difference one of our dedicated staff members makes to our patients and communities, and how they are unique ❤️
Shan Shan said: “I joined St George’s just over two years ago. Its leading reputation in complex reconstruction made St George’s a natural place to further my skills and career after training. But it wasn’t the prestige that drew me in - it was the ethos. St George’s doesn’t just treat trauma; it truly understands it. That mattered deeply to me - not just as a clinician, but as someone who has lived through trauma first-hand.
"Years ago, I survived a major accident. That experience gave me a whole new perspective - not only on medicine, but on life. It changed the way I connect with my patients. My team and I meet people at their most vulnerable, and through skill, compassion, and determination, we help rebuild their lives. Having once been on the other side of the hospital bed, I never take that responsibility lightly. Every case I see is someone’s second chance - just like the one I was given.
"That’s why filming Critical felt so important. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. As a private person, I was nervous at first, but the crew’s professionalism and sensitivity quickly put me at ease. Taking part gave me the chance to address misconceptions and show the real and powerful role plastic surgery plays in restoring lives after trauma.
"What struck me most throughout the process was how our routine work - what we do every day - could, when captured on camera, move and inspire others. I believe deeply in the power of storytelling. It offers hope that there is life beyond injury, even on the darkest days. Trauma changes us; it becomes woven into the fabric of who we are.
"Critical has created a platform for those stories to be seen and heard by the world.”
