Behind-the-scenes documentary shows hard-hitting reality of treating patients at traumatic emergencies across the capital

A new Channel 4 documentary focusing on the crucial life or death decisions made by paramedics and London Ambulance Service staff as they care for critically injured patients in London hits TV screens tonight (12 August).

The final series of the Channel 4 programme ‘Emergency’, which will broadcast over four nights from Monday at 9pm, showcases the life-saving teamwork between the ambulance service and the four major trauma hospitals in the capital who must work together to save people who have suffered traumatic injuries, from road accidents to violent assaults.

Among the many patients and moving stories in the hard-hitting series, viewers will follow Advanced Paramedic Rich McGirr as he treats seriously injured accountant Jeymi, 33, after the taxi she was in smashes into a lamppost in north-east London.

Her husband William is at the scene and explains that Jeymi was on her way to meet him for his birthday drinks. With a serious femur fracture, she is taken to St Mary’s major trauma centre.

Rich said: “When I arrive on the scene, the first few minutes can be vital. My immediate priorities are to try and understand what has happened. That helps me build up a mental picture of the injuries that the patient might have. So I’m looking for things in all the chaos and confusion.”

Elsewhere, Incident Response Officer Alan Morgan is on a night shift when he helps 43-year-old Maurilio, a moped delivery driver involved in a serious crash in Camden. The control room hear that Maurilio is losing lots of blood from his ear and dropping out of consciousness.

Alan said: “It would be a horrible shock to get a phone call about a loved one and you can’t be there to comfort them. It doesn’t require a great deal in a road traffic collision to cause catastrophic injuries. Ultimately, it can cause their death.”

Maurilio’s son Kauan is horrified to hear about his dad’s accident. He said: “It’s like someone punched me in the guts and I lost air.”

Some of the staff in the Service’s Tactical Operations Centre – which acts as a central coordination for our response to the most traumatic emergencies in the capital – Ian McIntyre, Jason Morris, Jonathan Merefield, Pete Crean are also featured dispatching crews, including Graham Jones and Nick Sillett, to the most critically injured patients.

Pauline Cranmer, Chief Paramedic at London Ambulance Service, said: “Every day our paramedics, control room staff and colleagues in the wider NHS at hospitals care for patients whose lives are impacted by traumatic events.

“They bring together crucial expert skills in the pre hospital environment as a vital part of our trauma network – this is a whole team of specialists who not only save lives but also work to reduce the impact of what can potentially be life-changing injuries for people. I am excited that the final series of ‘Emergency’ will show the compassion, expertise, skills and professionalism of our incredible NHS staff in high-stake emergencies.

“It’s going to be really special. If you’re inspired by what you see why not consider an exciting career at the UK’s busiest ambulance service? You do not need to have a medical background – we can provide you with all the training and development you need so you can begin making a difference as soon as possible.”

‘Emergency’ is a medical documentary series following London Ambulance Service crews and patients throughout the trauma system in the capital. From roadside critical care from paramedics, through resuscitation to intensive care units, and from surgery to rehabilitation, the series reflects the variety of specialist treatment that goes into saving patients’ lives.

The London Major Trauma System was set up in 2010 to provide better care for patients with life-threatening or life-changing injuries. It treats more than 12,000 patients a year and has improved survival rates for major trauma patients by 50 per cent.

It will air over four consecutive nights starting from Monday 12 August on Channel 4 at 9pm and available to stream as a complete boxset on Channel 4. You can catch up with the previous series here.

If you watch the series and are inspired to support the cause of London Ambulance Service, why not join our fundraising London Life Hike – a sponsored walk that aims to raise money for life-saving equipment across the capital.

For more information about career opportunities at London Ambulance Service visit our careers page on our website.