Spark Media Video Production Agency
Behind the Scenes:
NHS 360° Healthcare Video
- Rebecca Snoad
Date Published: 15/04/2025
Medical procedures can feel a little intimidating, especially when you don’t know what to expect. The NHS wanted to change that when it comes to plasma donation.
Their idea? An immersive 360 healthcare video virtual reality experience that lets people see exactly what happens during a plasma donation appointment before they ever set foot in a donation centre.
The Brief
The goal was simple – to inform potential donors and help them feel more at ease about the process so that they will hopefully choose to donate in the future. Instead of reading a brochure or watching a regular video, users can pop on a VR headset and step into a plasma donor’s shoes. This 360 healthcare video is a much more memorable experience that will leave a lasting impression.
Filming in 360°
We used the Insta360 Titan VR camera, a beast of a camera that captures detailed 360° video. This means when you put on the VR headset, you can look around, see the donation centre, and follow the process as if you were actually there.
For the first virtual reality experience, we filmed the typical welcome you receive upon entering the centre, the vein assessment and donor safety check you undergo, and the plasma donation experience.
For the second virtual reality experience, we filmed plasma medicine infusion. We talked to Emma, who lives with the rare autoimmune disease chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and relies on plasma medicines to manage her symptoms. This film helps viewers understand the difference medicines made from plasma have on the lives of people across the country.
Post-Production
After filming, we went into full editing mode – stitching together the 360-degree visuals, balancing the audio, and making sure the experience felt smooth, natural, and immersive. We also added additional pop-up videos and text. Then, we optimised it for VR headsets so the NHS could roll it out at their events.
Adding the Interactive Bits
To make the experience more interactive, we incorporated hotspot functionality and added a quiz throughout the video. Viewers can answer true-or-false questions about plasma donation, helping bust common myths and clear up any concerns. It’s a simple way to keep people interested while making sure they walk away with the right info and feel a bit more confident about the process.
The Impact
This 360 healthcare video experience has been shared on NHS social platforms, including their Give Blood YouTube channel. It is helping to inform potential donors and dispel common myths. These VR headsets will also be available at many events across the country that the NHS will attend, giving people a firsthand look at plasma donation in a way that’s memorable and informative.
The thing about VR is that you have a captive audience – this is one of the compelling reasons for using VR over other formats. It’s one of the reasons why VR is such a good training tool, especially in the sector of Health & Social Care. By using VR, we’ve helped turn curiosity into confidence – and hopefully, more life-saving plasma donations in the future.
Read more about the impact VR and 360 video is making in the health and social care sector.
