‘It is possible for anybody to turn their life around’ – star of BBC Ambulance documentary inspires patients

A paramedic reveals that he supported his mother through years of addiction to help steer a patient onto the road to recovery in the latest episode of BBC One’s Ambulance documentary (Thursday 24 October).

In tonight’s episode, viewers will follow crewmates Emergency Medical Technician Ellis and Paramedic Jade, from north east London, as they are called to a 54-year-old woman suffering with chest pain.

The award-winning show is broadcast at 9pm tonight (24 October) and will be available on iPlayer.

When they arrive, they find the patient is struggling with alcohol dependency and in a hugely touching moment Ellis is moved to share his own story, hoping he can set her on a better path towards a healthier and happier life.

Reflecting on the conversation, Ellis said: “When I go to patients I always try to instil the belief that it is possible for anybody to turn their life around.”

Later in the episode, call handler Sumaiya takes a high priority call for a patient who is not breathing.

After guiding the caller through CPR, she takes a moment to reflect on the challenges she’s personally faced in her life.

She says: “I never really understood what being ill was, but life can change in the blink of an eye. At the age of 19 my brother got diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and I’m his main carer. It does get difficult especially when your family relies on your financially. Some weeks I’m doing over as much overtime as I can just to survive.”

Real life struggles are at the heart of the episode, illustrating the real world cost of challenging financial climates in the lives of vulnerable people across the capital.

This is brought into sharp focus when Ellis and Jade are sent to help a 58-year-old woman with chest pain.

When they arrive, the crew recognised her as a regular caller with an extensive cardiac history.

But they find she is struggling with more than just her health – being unable to afford to feed herself properly as she struggles in the cost of living crisis.

Elsewhere in the episode, Sumaiya takes a call from a concerned mother whose son is having a mental health crisis.

While Sumaiya offers support over the phone and simultaneously tries to arrange for help to be sent, the son can be heard being violent towards his mother.

Meanwhile pressure is increasing across London Ambulance Service after a large fire at Forest Gate Police Station sees 12 resources dispatched to handle the incident.

Viewers see how dispatchers make life and death decisions in these high pressure circumstances.

Deputy Chief Paramedic Alison Blakely, said: “The second episode of Ambulance gives viewers real insight into the challenges and struggles facing Londoners and the situations our frontline ambulance staff face.

“While delivering care to nine million people across London, I’m so proud to see our staff go above and beyond to offer the best level of treatment and genuine compassion for patients who need emergency care for their physical or mental health needs.

“This is against a backdrop of increasing social care needs as the show reveals how the impact of the cost of living crisis is hurting Londoners.”

If you need help with alcohol support, please visit the NHS website here for advice, support and other resources which can assist in your road to recovery.