BBC star reveals suffering that led her to work for London Ambulance Service

A star of the BBC hit show Ambulance has spoken about the family sorrow that inspired her to help others.

Viewers of the award-winning series which was broadcast last week and is available on iPlayer saw London Ambulance Service call handler Sumaiya Imma organising help for patients including one in cardiac arrest.

She’s seen giving instructions to the caller on how to give CPR – a vital life-saving intervention which keeps blood and oxygen flowing until the ambulance arrives.

But later in the episode Sumaiya reveals the personal circumstances she, herself, is facing. Her older brother is seriously ill with Crohn’s disease, a condition that has left him bed-bound and in constant pain.

She said: “It has been really difficult watching my brother suffer. This disease is eating away at him. He has so many physical wounds we have to take care of.”

Sadly Sumaiya has had to call 999 several times to get her older brother help. She is his main carer, taking him to his many medical appointments.

But the 21-year-old says being a carer for her brother inspired her to work first for NHS 111 and now as a dedicated and inspirational call handler at London Ambulance Service.

She said: “This is what I’m best at: caring for people. And having a sick brother means I really empathise with our callers – I feel for them and I always want to do my best for them.

“I really love my job and being able to help. This is me – even when I’m off duty I found myself caring for people and helping them.”

Despite her shyness, when Sumaiya found out a documentary team from the BBC was going to follow call handlers, dispatchers and ambulance crews, she was excited.

She said: “Sometimes patients forget that we are humans at the other end of the phone. But this programme gives people the chance to see how we deal with things.

“We aren’t just robots who answer the call: we are real people with real lives and real feelings, and we are doing our best.”

She admits she was a bit nervous but soon forgot about the cameras because she was so focused on doing her job.

In one scene she helps a mother who has been hurt by her son while he was experiencing a mental health crisis. She is strong, calm and reassuring throughout.

And since the programme aired last week, she has been inundated with support and praise from viewers who took to social media to express their appreciation.

Richie on Instagram wrote: “We all need a Sumaiya in our lives.”

While Elle and Andrew both posted on X, saying: “She is an incredible call handler,” and “what an absolute credit to your service she is.”

Richard also posted on X, commenting on all the starts of the show: “Sumaiya is just amazing. There are some things you can’t teach people and the empathy of all these people comes from their hearts.”

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To find out more about Crohn’s Disease and when to seek help, the NHS has information and advice here.