Ambulance

A night shift takes a turn for the worse as multiple Darlington crews respond to a category-1 call for a patient in cardiac arrest.

The North East Ambulance Service is struggling to deal with an unprecedented volume of calls. The NHS faces chronic stresses and strains as frontline staff battle an increase in mental health problems, stretched public services and deepening poverty in the north east region.

Staff shortages and a rise in 999 calls stretch the North East Ambulance Service to its limits, meaning only the most critical patients will get an ambulance.

A busy night shift for the North East Ambulance Service begins with an emergency call for a woman in labour. In Stockton, crewmates Hannah and Becky attend a 78-year-old female patient who has fallen down the stairs and suffered a seizure. In control, an urgent call is received for a 12-year-old female patient who has taken an overdose. The patient admits she has been struggling at school, which is having an impact on her mental health.

The service begins to feel the pressure of a busy night shift, with 45 calls waiting to be answered. Kristian and Francis are dispatched to an intoxicated male patient who put his head through a hotel window following an argument. Ollie and James have just cleared from their third job of the night when they're dispatched to an 89-year-old male vomiting and experiencing weakness.

This episode highlights the rising demand for mental health care across the north east, as ambulance crews respond to multiple emergency calls for patients battling with their mental health while attempting to navigate over-stretched services and feeling they have nowhere left to turn for help.

It's the beginning of the night, and the team in control have inherited the consequences of a busy day shift. Ambulance crews are already starting to queue at hospital as they wait to hand over their patients.

Crewmates Alan and Ellen are dispatched to a local Italian restaurant to treat an 83-year-old patient who has collapsed while out to dinner with his family. As they travel to hospital, the patient tears up as he speaks of his wife, who has Alzheimer's and was put into a care home during lockdown.

Due to high levels of demand, crewmates Chris and Becca are dispatched out of their usual area to a 64-year-old female patient with nausea and back pain. The patient is at first reluctant to visit hospital, but Chris turns on the charm and helps to put her at ease.

In control, a call is received from a patient making bomb threats. He is suicidal and making repeated threats to kill. Every second counts as multiple crews, including police and fire, are dispatched to the scene.

Vanessa and Caylie's next shift is on St Patrick's Day, and they are immediately given the news that a patient they helped just the day before has been rushed to hospital following a cardiac arrest at home. Crewmates Viki and Paige are dispatched to a category-one call for an 19-year-old patient who is having fits and needs immediate help, while Alan and Ellen respond to a call regarding a 21-year-old male in Jesmond, who is vomiting blood while on a night out with friends.

Chris and Becca must attend to a 14-year-old girl who is struggling with her mental health and has attempted to hang herself. The patient is reluctant to go to hospital, so the crew arrange an assessment with the mental health crisis team.

As crews begin to book on for the start of the day shift, an emergency call is received for a patient who has made an attempt to end their life. Crewmates Emily and Gayle are immediately dispatched to assist another crew. As they make the ten-minute journey to provide back-up, the patient is confirmed dead, but Emily and Gayle decide to remain at the scene and help provide some much-needed support to the grieving family.

In Pallion, crewmates James and Jamie are dispatched to a 71-year-old female with upper back pain. The crew are in awe of the patient as they learn how she has dedicated her life to caring for others and volunteering for charity.

Nearly two hours into the shift, control are answering a new call every 42 seconds. Emily and Gayle are sent to treat a 99-year-old female who is struggling with low oxygen levels. Soon to celebrate her 100th birthday, the patient has a wealth of stories to share from her glittering past, including working for 20th Century Fox and being called up to work for the forces during the Second World War.

In control, an emergency call is received for a patient who is not breathing. Things take a turn for the worst when crews arrive to find there is a second patient, a child, also in cardiac arrest and in need of urgent help.

On the afternoon shift, category one calls come flooding in, with over 50 patients waiting for an ambulance across the region. James and Jamie respond to an emergency call for a 75-year-old female who is believed to be having a stroke. At the scene, the patient's husband explains that having tried multiple non-emergency pathways to try to get help, they were left with no choice but to call 999.

Emily and Gayle are sent to help an 81-year-old diabetic patient who has fallen off his mobility scooter. There is cause for concern after the crew take a look in the patient's fridge and find an abundance of sugary drinks. Emily puts all jokes to one side as she speaks frankly to the patient about the impact his lifestyle could have on his long-term health.