BBC documentary: Series Cast

Abi works as a paramedic for the Tactical Response Unit and is trained in chemical and multi-casualty incidents. The unit is equipped to respond to marauding terror attacks and also responds to Cat 1 calls, the most serious medical emergencies.

In episode one, Abi responds to an emergency involving multiple patients who have been attacked with an unknown chemical.

While Abi assesses the patients’ injuries, the Tactical Operations Centre receive another urgent call to a multi-storey block of flats in Erith, where a flat is on fire. She also responds to a respiratory arrest, where she realises she previously attended the same patient earlier in the week.

Abi from BBC Ambulance answers your questions #TeamLAS (watch on YouTube)

Homerton crewmates David and Lexi arrive at a 59-year-old woman with difficulty in breathing. They discover the patient is living in a flat covered in black mould which is exacerbating her symptoms.

David said: “In east London especially, there’s a lot of poverty. Whenever we go to see a patient, it’s quite common now that I’ll just check to see if the fridge is working.”

Lex added: “I’ve never seen a house that bad.”

Crewmates Jodene and Claudia, who also work out of Homerton, are dispatched to a patient who is vomiting. On arrival, they learn the patient is HIV positive and has battled with drug addiction for 30 years.

Claudia, who joined LAS in 2019 with no previous clinical experience, says that the best thing about the job is the human factor. She adds: “the variety of people and situations we encounter is simply incredible.”

At Roman Road Market, a stallholder has been assaulted after asking a member of the public to clean up their dog’s mess; crewmates Wendy and Ryan are dispatched and after bandaging the patient’s broken nose, he shares how he became a stallholder and how the market has changed.

Ellis works as an Emergency Medical Technician. He worked for Virgin Active before joining London Ambulance Service. During Covid, his nan, who he lived with, became quite unwell and paramedics came to their house a lot to help with her treatment. Ellis was inspired to sign up to this career, after one particular visit during which he was particularly touched by the special efforts made by the paramedics helping his nan – playing music in the ambulance for her for instance. During the drive to the hospital, the paramedic helping his nan told him she thought he would make a good fit in this career and gave him the link to the London Ambulance Service website with information on roles. Since then Ellis has not turned back. 

#TeamLAS clinicians use humour to bond with elderly patient (watch on YouTube)

Jade is a paramedic and has been in this position for a little over a year, after she first joined LAS in 2017. She was attracted by the daily challenge of this role and career – and the fact that she is never sure of what might come next. The variety of the role is massively appealing to Jade and she says that even two seemingly similar situations will still be completely unique in their own ways. She added: “I like to be kept on my toes.”

#TeamLAS clinicians use humour to bond with elderly patient (watch on YouTube)

Sumaiya is a call handler at London Ambulance Service which means she works in our control room answering 999 calls and sending out vehicles across the capital to treat patients. She has had to call 999 herself many times throughout her life because her brother is battling Crohn’s disease, a condition which leaves him bedbound and in constant pain. She aspires to become a paramedic herself one day.

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Jasmine is a paramedic who first joined the Service in October 2018 after joining as a newly qualified paramedic. She was attracted to this career after realising she was not build for a career sitting in an office. Jasmine considered becoming a nurse, as it offered many of the aspects in a career she desired, but in the end she decided she did not want to be in a hospital setting all day every day. When she discovered the paramedic role she realised how interesting, fast-paced and varied the role could be and knew this was the path for her.

Kayla first began her career as a Trainee Assistant Ambulance Practitioner in July 2022. She is now an Assistant Ambulance Practitioner (AAP) and is due to shortly begin her upskill course to become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) soon. She first joined London Ambulance Service due to having a background in biomedical science, but being unfulfilled in that role and desiring a more hands-on and practical role which enabled her to work with members of the public more, she moved to LAS. When she saw her current role, she was attracted to the convenience of the role and said it appeared to be a “very smart when to get into the career and progress instead of going straight into university for a second time.”

Nikki has been an Advanced Paramedic Practitioner (Critical Care) at London Ambulance Service since November 2020. Prior to joining LAS she worked for North West Ambulance Service (NWAS). When asked why she was attracted to a career in paramedicine, she said: “This role and work in this sector ticks all the boxes for the career I wanted. Every single day is different, I get to work outside and in different environments. I’m also able to travel to world with work and go to amazing places. But above all I am able to do something that makes a real difference to people.”