Scathing, series probing a hospital department (10)
I believe the answer is:
astringent
'scathing' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'series probing a hospital department' is the wordplay.
'series' becomes 'string' (sequence of similar items or events).
'probing' is an insertion indicator (probe can mean to make a hole in).
'hospital department' becomes 'ent'.
'a'+'ent'='aent'
'string' inserted within 'aent' is 'ASTRINGENT'.
(Other definitions for astringent that I've seen before include "(Medication) causing contraction - stern giant (anag)" , "(Of taste) sharp, bitter" , "Lotion" , "for checking bleeding" , "biting" .)