A Beckenham hospital featured in a Channel 4 documentary that scooped a BAFTA last night (May 18).

Bethlem Royal Hospital in Monks Orchard Road appeared in Bedlam, which won a television award in the ‘best factual series’ category.

Television company The Garden Productions worked with South London an Maudsley NHS Trust (SLaM) staff for two years to make the observational show.

SLaM’s chief executive Matthew Patrick said: “I am absolutely delighted and incredibly proud to announce that Bedlam has won a BAFTA television award.

“Bedlam was a pioneering series which was sensitively made and reflects the realities of living with mental illness.

“We took part to help raise awareness of mental illness and from the public reaction so far we have gone some way to achieving that.

“I am honoured we were part of it and want to thank our staff and patients for their time, dedication and commitment to the series.

“Now it appears that mental health is very much on the map and hopefully here to stay.”

A four-part series, the first instalment followed patients through the psychiatric hospital’s residential anxiety and disorder unit.

With 18 beds, it treats some of the most anxious people in the country where patients have fears such as falsely believing they’ve caused harm to strangers or been involved in a road accident.

The series started in October last year and later saw care in Lambeth Hospital, a community mental health team, and Maudsley Hosptial in Denmark Hill.

The 60-minute programmes attracted millions of viewers and was regulaly trending on social media. 

It fought off stiff competition from hit shows Educating Yorkshire, Keeping Britain Alive, and The Route Masters:Running London’s Roads, to claim the prize. 

Bethlem Royal Hospital is said to have a success rate of three-in-four of those it treats.

The show has been praised for raising awareness of mental health issues in the public and last week marked Mental Health Awareness Week 2014, which this year focused on anxiety.