Story originally posted on 19 March 2010.

A hard-hitting documentary filmed partly in Birmingham’s Selly Oak Hospital about two wounded British servicemen has won the Best Documentary award from the Royal Television Society.

“Wounded” followed the treatment and rehabilitation of Parachute Regiment Lance Corporal Tom Neathway and Royal Irish Ranger Andy Allen after both suffered serious injuries in different incidents while serving in Afghanistan.

An improvised explosive device (IED) exploded near Tom while his unit was on patrol in Kajaki, Helmand Province. He lost both legs in the blast and surgeons later had to amputate his left arm as well. Andy was also the victim of an IED, losing his right leg immediately and also suffering serious damage to his eyes. Surgeons later had to remove his left leg in order to save his life.

They were evacuated from Afghanistan to Birmingham, where they were treated at Selly Oak Hospital, which is the home of the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine and treats all of Britain’s seriously wounded military personnel.

The documentary follows their initial fight for survival, with both men spending time in Selly Oak Hospital’s critical care unit and undergoing multiple operations.

Screened in September last year, the documentary won critical praise for its unflinching portrayal of the difficulties faced by both men in dealing with their injuries.

It also looked at the strain placed on their families, and showed poignant moments such as Andy holding his new-born son for the first time and Tom managing to walk on artificial legs for his regimental medal parade.

Director Sara Hardy said she was delighted the documentary had been recognised by the Royal Television Society: “This is a real testament as to how hard everyone worked. We could not have done it without the access we were granted to Selly Oak Hospital and to Headley Court.”

“I told both Tom and Andy, and both were really pleased with the result.”