0:00:02 > 0:00:08This programme contains some strong language and scenes some viewers may find upsetting.
0:00:08 > 0:00:10Tell me exactly what's happened.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13When the most serious emergencies strike,
0:00:13 > 0:00:15the ambulance has eight minutes to respond.
0:00:15 > 0:00:17'What shall I do...'
0:00:17 > 0:00:20Sir, I am going to tell you what to do, right?
0:00:20 > 0:00:24With 999 calls doubling in London over the past ten years...
0:00:24 > 0:00:26I'm not asking if you are an atheist.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29I am asking, do you want an ambulance?
0:00:29 > 0:00:33In the control centre, every single one needs a split-second decision.
0:00:33 > 0:00:34Who needs an ambulance quickest...
0:00:34 > 0:00:37It's so critical that we try and cut him down.
0:00:37 > 0:00:41It's the only way that we're going to be able to try and save his life.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43..and who must wait.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46Kathleen, the ambulance will not be coming to you tonight.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48Kathleen?
0:00:48 > 0:00:51From the moment a call comes in...
0:00:51 > 0:00:53He's been stabbed in the stomach.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55I'm looking for any ambulance for a 16-year-old who's
0:00:55 > 0:00:57had her hand slashed by a machete.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59Another stabbing?
0:00:59 > 0:01:01Crews race to save lives...
0:01:01 > 0:01:02Seconds feel like minutes,
0:01:02 > 0:01:05minutes feel like hours when you're waiting for an ambulance.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08My name is Peter. We're going to look after you.
0:01:08 > 0:01:10We're going to give you some very strong pain medicines.
0:01:10 > 0:01:12We got a 94-year-old female who's fallen.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15I need to know if he's breathing or not. It's really important.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17He's as drunk as 1,000 people.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20The NHS is under unprecedented pressure.
0:01:20 > 0:01:25There was a hanging, there was a four-year-old who's fallen 20ft,
0:01:25 > 0:01:27and now we've got another double stabbing.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31You're the Queen of England? So, why have you dialled 999?
0:01:31 > 0:01:34As London grows by over 100,000 people a year...
0:01:34 > 0:01:37- You have overdosed, fella. - Hey?- You've overdosed.
0:01:37 > 0:01:42..ambulances are struggling to keep up. The situation is now critical.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45Someone has taken my Echo 231 for something else.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47Another cardiac arrest, another deceased.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50Please God be an ambulance. Be an ambulance.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53This is the story behind the sirens...
0:01:53 > 0:01:55SCREAMING
0:01:55 > 0:01:58..through the eyes of the London Ambulance Service.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01Did you see what you were shot with? A shotgun?
0:02:02 > 0:02:05I think, essentially, we should say that she's gone.
0:02:05 > 0:02:07It's time to stop.
0:02:07 > 0:02:12Sometimes it's just not easy, but you go on to your next job...
0:02:12 > 0:02:13Marvellous.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16..because there's somebody else that you can help.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20- PHONE RINGS - Oh, London has woken up. Here we go.
0:02:32 > 0:02:33Now, listen carefully.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36I'm going to tell you how to do resuscitation. OK?
0:02:36 > 0:02:38Place you're the heel of your hand on the breastbone,
0:02:38 > 0:02:40in the centre of the chest...
0:02:40 > 0:02:41Would I still love you?
0:02:41 > 0:02:44Frederick, that's not the point of the call.
0:02:44 > 0:02:48I'm asking you a question, Frederick. Do you need an ambulance?
0:02:48 > 0:02:50Shouting is not going to help the situation.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53Tell everyone to calm down. This is important. We need to help her.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55It's Friday night,
0:02:55 > 0:02:58and the start of a long weekend in the control centre for A Watch.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02I need to advise you that the 999 lines are very busy.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06Just tell him to be still and wait for the help to arrive. OK?
0:03:06 > 0:03:09Of the 2,500 calls for help they expect to hear tonight,
0:03:09 > 0:03:13they know the number fuelled by drugs and alcohol will be
0:03:13 > 0:03:15double the normal rate.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32BEEPING
0:03:32 > 0:03:36- Overdose. - OD on cocaine and MDMA.
0:03:36 > 0:03:37Oh, no.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39OK, let's go.
0:03:39 > 0:03:41The overdose call is in Brixton.
0:03:41 > 0:03:46South London-based crew Dan and Donna are immediately dispatched.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48If it's a weekend and it's a payday
0:03:48 > 0:03:50and it's a full moon,
0:03:50 > 0:03:55then you can be guaranteed to see absolute carnage.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58Drunk, drug-fuelled problems.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00But that can be quite interesting,
0:04:00 > 0:04:04and I do quite enjoy that, to be honest.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08Dan and Donna are a mile away from the patient.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12With reports that his condition is worsening, an advance paramedic
0:04:12 > 0:04:16who's specially trained to deal with overdoses is also sent.
0:04:16 > 0:04:17Red base, Alpha Papa 6-1.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20ETA is going to be about five minutes on this call.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22'ETA is five minutes? Thanks.'
0:04:22 > 0:04:24SIREN WAILS
0:04:24 > 0:04:26He's reported to have a very fast pulse
0:04:26 > 0:04:28and actually be quite hot as well.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32Both of those conditions can cause problems with kidney damage,
0:04:32 > 0:04:35muscle breakdown and can actually make you quite unwell.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39Rich is on scene in six minutes.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42Dan and Donna arrived in four minutes.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46- Are they coming out now? - They're coming out.- OK.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50- What do you know?- 21-year-old.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53- He was shaking quite a lot when we first got in.- Yeah.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57- Possibly a small fit.- Fine.- We've packed him with some ice for now.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01- Yeah.- We brought his temperature down to 40.3.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04You are in the back of an ambulance, buddy.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07- You're OK, but we just need you on the bed.- Why?
0:05:07 > 0:05:10- DONNA:- Look at me, OK? Nothing is going to happen to you, OK?
0:05:10 > 0:05:13- We're trying to help you.- Relax. - Calm down.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15Are you all right?
0:05:15 > 0:05:18- We're not your mum.- I'm not your mum. I'm trying to help you, OK?
0:05:18 > 0:05:20HE SOBS
0:05:20 > 0:05:22- PATIENT:- You're trying to hit me.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24Just peel it that way.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26Just relax.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28Take your hand off me, please.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30Let go of him.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32- All right, OK?- Just relax.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35Let go. Let go of my shirt.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38You are going to get a little scratch, buddy.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40It will take a little while to work.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43- Relax.- They're just trying to help you. All right?
0:05:45 > 0:05:48The clubs are beginning to close but the Friday night party is
0:05:48 > 0:05:50still in full swing.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14First-response paramedic Andy is on his way to a call outside
0:06:14 > 0:06:16a kebab shop in east London.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20So, I've just been dispatched to a young lad who
0:06:20 > 0:06:24has got facial injuries after being robbed.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28Hello, mate. What is your name, fella?
0:06:28 > 0:06:31- Ali. Ali, Ali.- Ali? My name's Andy.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34- Mate, I went to get a doner kebab and I got doner-ed.- Oh, no.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37I got doner-ed. Oh, shit.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39- Do you live round here? - No, I live in Essex.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41I came here especially for that doner.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43You came all the way here for a kebab?
0:06:43 > 0:06:45For a kebab, and I got kebab-ed!
0:06:45 > 0:06:48- Can I just have a little feel of your head?- Yeah.- Yeah?
0:06:48 > 0:06:49- Oh, that's...- Yeah.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53Ali, it's going to be a trip to hospital, this one.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55All right?
0:06:55 > 0:06:58Andy operates alone as a first-response paramedic.
0:06:58 > 0:07:0224-year-old Ali's condition needs to be closely monitored,
0:07:02 > 0:07:04and this requires an ambulance.
0:07:04 > 0:07:05Thank you. Could I arrange
0:07:05 > 0:07:08some transport for this gentleman to hospital, please? Over.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10Open your mouth for me.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14- Have you broken your nose before? - What?
0:07:14 > 0:07:17Have you broken your nose before?
0:07:17 > 0:07:20- So you had a bit of a wonky nose to begin with?- Yeah.- Yeah?
0:07:20 > 0:07:21What actually happened?
0:07:21 > 0:07:24They were yobs. Mostly they said, "Yo!"
0:07:24 > 0:07:27I just knew what it is and I turned around and they said,
0:07:27 > 0:07:29"What have you got for us?"
0:07:29 > 0:07:32The guy came running and he just whacked me so hard.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34It all fell out. My car keys fell out,
0:07:34 > 0:07:37my glasses came off of me and my watch...
0:07:37 > 0:07:39Everything came off...
0:07:39 > 0:07:41HE MUMBLES
0:07:43 > 0:07:45RADIO BEEPS
0:07:45 > 0:07:49The truck's just round the corner, dude. All right?
0:07:49 > 0:07:51We'll get you sorted.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54Oh, yeah. What watch is it?
0:07:54 > 0:07:56Oh, mate. How much is that?
0:07:57 > 0:08:00Pfff! What do you do for a living?
0:08:02 > 0:08:03Oh, right.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09- So, you're an entrepreneur?- Yeah.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12We'll see you on Dragons's Den in a few years
0:08:12 > 0:08:15with piles of cash in front of you!
0:08:16 > 0:08:19I think our transport has arrived, Ali.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21- I got to go to the hospital?- Yeah. All right, Ali.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25I'm going to leave you in these guys' capable hands, mate.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27- All the best, all right? Look after yourself.- Cheers, guys.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30- Right, how are you feeling there, Ali?- So good(!)
0:08:30 > 0:08:33THEY LAUGH
0:08:33 > 0:08:35Never felt this good in my life(!)
0:08:37 > 0:08:41Last year, the London Ambulance Service treated over 31,000
0:08:41 > 0:08:46victims of violence and at the weekends, casualties rose by 50%.
0:08:46 > 0:08:51I think we have a distorted view of London. We see the violence.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53We see the result of it.
0:08:53 > 0:08:58But I don't think London is more or less dangerous than any other
0:08:58 > 0:09:02part of the country. It's just, as an ambulance service,
0:09:02 > 0:09:05we know about it and we hear about it and we see it.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09Can we put a little bit of oxygen on your face? Just a little mask?
0:09:09 > 0:09:11Just to help? Yeah?
0:09:11 > 0:09:14In Brixton, the MDMA overdose patient
0:09:14 > 0:09:16has been successfully sedated,
0:09:16 > 0:09:18but he still risks overheating,
0:09:18 > 0:09:21so they must take him to hospital for further observation.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24Red base, Alpha Papa 6-1. Can you do a move to King's College
0:09:24 > 0:09:27- when you're ready? - Yeah, go ahead, mate.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29We have got a 20 - two-zero - year-old male.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32He has a pulse of 160,
0:09:32 > 0:09:34a temperature of 40.2,
0:09:34 > 0:09:37ETA is only about five minutes.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39Yeah, that's all being done for you now.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41SIREN WAILS
0:09:41 > 0:09:43You're in the back of an ambulance, yeah?
0:09:43 > 0:09:45We going to take you up to the hospital
0:09:45 > 0:09:47and we've let them know you're coming.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50You're very hot, your heart's going very quick,
0:09:50 > 0:09:52and you're having a reaction to the drugs.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55He took a disliking to me, for some reason.
0:09:55 > 0:09:57He's very, very paranoid.
0:09:58 > 0:10:04I think that he thinks that we're his mother,
0:10:04 > 0:10:08which isn't ideal.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11You're not in trouble. You're fine. OK?
0:10:11 > 0:10:13But you need to relax and trust us, yeah?
0:10:13 > 0:10:15Can you do that for me?
0:10:15 > 0:10:17- HE MUMBLES - Good man.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20- ETA 10 seconds.- Thank you!
0:10:23 > 0:10:26You're calming down a bit now, aren't you?
0:10:26 > 0:10:28Yeah, that's good.
0:10:28 > 0:10:30You'll feel a bit better in a minute.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35You take drugs at your own risk.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38You can't stop someone wanting to do that.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42We will always be there if someone does overdose or take
0:10:42 > 0:10:45something the wrong way, and it all goes horribly wrong,
0:10:45 > 0:10:49but it shouldn't get to a point where it impacts on other
0:10:49 > 0:10:53people's health because you overdosed and need an ambulance.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55Oh, bit of...
0:10:55 > 0:10:57MUSIC PLAYS
0:10:59 > 0:11:03# When we erupt into the room
0:11:03 > 0:11:06# And hear the sub go boom... #
0:11:06 > 0:11:08'I look at my friends sometimes and what they get up to,
0:11:08 > 0:11:11'and they're still out every week getting pissed,
0:11:11 > 0:11:15'and I'm, on a Friday night, you know, in an ambulance going to them
0:11:15 > 0:11:21'and people my age, and that can be a bit surreal sometimes.'
0:11:21 > 0:11:24Oh, my God!
0:11:24 > 0:11:26What a tune!
0:11:26 > 0:11:29'So this job has definitely made me more mature.'
0:11:29 > 0:11:31# ..Sweet sensation! #
0:11:34 > 0:11:37As the shift draws on, the aftermath of Friday-night partying
0:11:37 > 0:11:40shows little sign of letting up.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43There are 19 crews currently treating drink and drug casualties,
0:11:43 > 0:11:48but not all calls are the result of tonight's party.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05WOMAN GROANS
0:12:09 > 0:12:13I know that she's screaming, I know she's in pain, OK,
0:12:13 > 0:12:15but she needs to try and stay calm, all right?
0:12:15 > 0:12:17And take deep breaths in.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20At this moment, there are three women in labour currently
0:12:20 > 0:12:23on the line, and ambulances have been dispatched.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26OK, I'm going to tell you how to deliver the baby just in case, OK?
0:12:26 > 0:12:28Raise your head up with pillows but don't sit up
0:12:28 > 0:12:30and do not go to the toilet.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34Call-handlers are trained to deliver babies over the phone
0:12:34 > 0:12:36in cases where it's clear the baby won't wait.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39Listen to me, right?
0:12:39 > 0:12:41The whole head is out, you're saying?
0:12:41 > 0:12:44Is the whole head out?
0:12:44 > 0:12:48Right, listen to me. Push hard now to get the baby out, please.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52Right, as the baby delivers, it's going to be very slippery, OK?
0:12:52 > 0:12:56So just be careful and support the baby's head and shoulders.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59Right, is the whole baby out? Is the baby crying or breathing?
0:12:59 > 0:13:03Right, OK. Sir, is the baby crying or breathing?
0:13:03 > 0:13:04Yes?
0:13:04 > 0:13:08All right. OK, congratulations. Is it a girl or boy?
0:13:08 > 0:13:12I don't know, I don't know. I can't... I don't know.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14- You don't know? - I'm in shock.- You're in shock?
0:13:14 > 0:13:19Well, well done. The ambulance should be pulling up outside now.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22- OK.- OK, congratulations. I'll leave you with them.- Thank you very much.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24All right, thank you. Bye.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26Is that the ambulance crew with you?
0:13:26 > 0:13:29OK, I'll leave you with the ambulance crew. Thank you.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32I'm going to leave you with them, OK? Good luck.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34Lots of babies tonight.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41A call has just come in from the police in east London for
0:13:41 > 0:13:44a man who has been reported unconscious.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46First-responder Andy is sent.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49Hi, mate. Oh, has he?
0:13:57 > 0:13:59Oh, OK. My name's Andy.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01- What's happened tonight? - Nothing.- Nothing?
0:14:01 > 0:14:03How come you're outside?
0:14:03 > 0:14:05- I don't know.- You don't know?
0:14:05 > 0:14:07- No.- It's very cold.
0:14:09 > 0:14:10Do you feel cold?
0:14:10 > 0:14:12- Very hot.- Very hot?- Very hot.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15OK. How long have you been feeling hot for?
0:14:15 > 0:14:18- 1985.- Sorry?- Since 1985.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21- What year are we in?- I don't know.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23You don't know. OK.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25- How old are you? - I don't know.- All right.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28- Can I do a couple of checks on you? - No.- No? Why not?
0:14:28 > 0:14:30Don't touch me. Don't touch me.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33- Can I take check your blood sugar? - No.- No?- No.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35Does he have any medical problems?
0:14:35 > 0:14:38OK. Does he have any other medical problems?
0:14:40 > 0:14:44OK. Unfortunately, I am very limited in what I can do right now.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47I think, as you probably know anyway, the best course of action
0:14:47 > 0:14:51would be to pop him back down to the hospital.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55Just a little update for you on this very, very,
0:14:55 > 0:14:58very much a mental health job.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00He is going to need to go to hospital so we are going to need
0:15:00 > 0:15:02a vehicle at some point.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07There are currently no available ambulances in this area.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10Andy's mental health patient must wait.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12But he's starting to get restless.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15You're going to have to stay here, I'm afraid.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20- Nobody's looking... - INDISTINCT
0:15:20 > 0:15:23Nobody's looking to make you to go to jail.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27What we're trying to do is get you somewhere safe and somewhere warm.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32Oi.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35If the patient continues behaving erratically,
0:15:35 > 0:15:38he risks being detained by the police
0:15:38 > 0:15:40to prevent him harming himself or anyone else.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42He's not going to get the better of us.
0:15:42 > 0:15:46- I'd rather not have him handcuffed. - Calm down. Calm down.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48INDISTINCT SPEECH
0:15:52 > 0:15:54Finally, a private ambulance arrives,
0:15:54 > 0:15:57one of 18 that have been specially contracted tonight
0:15:57 > 0:16:01to ensure they can safely cover the whole of London.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03- Hello, guys.- Hello.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06I think the police are going to do most of the work.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08I think the more people around him...
0:16:08 > 0:16:11the more difficult it's going to be to manage.
0:16:15 > 0:16:16Over the last year,
0:16:16 > 0:16:20there's been a 15% increase in the number of mental health calls
0:16:20 > 0:16:22the London Ambulance Service attends.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28It's desperately sad when people are in that situation.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31We try our best to help them as much as we can, but...
0:16:33 > 0:16:37..really, the only choice we have is to take them to hospital,
0:16:37 > 0:16:41which isn't right, it isn't where they should be.
0:16:42 > 0:16:43A&E is not a suitable place
0:16:43 > 0:16:47for people who are having an acute mental health crisis.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49But it's the only avenue open to us
0:16:49 > 0:16:52at three o'clock on a Saturday morning.
0:16:52 > 0:16:53It's...
0:16:55 > 0:16:59Something's missing with our mental health care at the moment,
0:16:59 > 0:17:01and I don't know what the answer is,
0:17:01 > 0:17:04but what we're doing at the moment isn't working.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06We'll put a plaster on it tonight,
0:17:06 > 0:17:08and then next week, it'll be the same story again.
0:17:33 > 0:17:37Why do you need an ambulance? He's drunk?
0:17:45 > 0:17:46There's probably a very good reason
0:17:46 > 0:17:49why they didn't prescribe dog worming tablets
0:17:49 > 0:17:53to you as a human being as a type of medication.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56Pete is in charge of the team dispatching ambulances
0:17:56 > 0:17:58across west London this weekend.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01He read on Google that these dog worming tablets
0:18:01 > 0:18:04contain an active ingredient that helps people with anxiety issues.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06Asked the doctor to prescribe them, the doctor said no,
0:18:06 > 0:18:08so he went online and bought them online
0:18:08 > 0:18:10and he's been chewing them for most of the day.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13- Is he still anxious? - Well, he's not so much anxious
0:18:13 > 0:18:16as petrified now that he's done something to hurt himself
0:18:16 > 0:18:18because of eating these tablets all day.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20So his anxiety's gone through the roof now?
0:18:20 > 0:18:23- It's gone through the roof! - Oh, my God.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26If you wrote a book, they would put it in the fiction section,
0:18:26 > 0:18:29because they'd never believe that this stuff happened for real.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54North London-based crew Abbey and Paul
0:18:54 > 0:18:56head towards their second job of the night.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58SIREN WAILS
0:18:58 > 0:19:00'OK, how old's this person that's passed out?'
0:19:02 > 0:19:0425? Is she awake now?
0:19:05 > 0:19:07What's her name?
0:19:07 > 0:19:10So, what do you reckon that Laura's been up to?
0:19:10 > 0:19:12I don't know.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16Passed out, unconscious, in and out of consciousness.
0:19:16 > 0:19:20Unable to verbalise. Responding by moving fingers.
0:19:20 > 0:19:24Could be...any number of things, couldn't it, I suppose?
0:19:25 > 0:19:27They arrive four minutes later.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30The woman has now regained consciousness.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32- Right, Laura...- Yeah?
0:19:32 > 0:19:36- What we're going to do is we'll take you down to the ambulance.- Yeah.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38- Cos you've had a faint...- Yeah.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40..we'll want to do an ECG
0:19:40 > 0:19:43to make sure it's not your heart that's causing any problems.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46- Just, like...- Just see how you are. - I'll stand next to you.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49Have a hold and we'll stand for a moment.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51Oh, don't worry about that.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55Don't worry about that.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57- Oh, bless you!- We've all done it.
0:19:57 > 0:20:01I didn't know, and then I felt it between my legs, and I was like...
0:20:01 > 0:20:02Oh, don't be silly.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06Whilst you're on the stairs, Laura, if you feel unwell, just sit down.
0:20:06 > 0:20:07Just sit back and sit down.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10It was lucky I put my wash on, wasn't it, earlier?
0:20:10 > 0:20:13- You're going to need some new trousers.- Oh, Laura!
0:20:13 > 0:20:16- Did I pee on you?- You peed on everyone.- We picked you up.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18We just picked you up and you sprayed everywhere.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21People thought it was part of the comedy routine.
0:20:21 > 0:20:25Genuinely, he did have to say, "This isn't part of the routine."
0:20:25 > 0:20:28- Did you have to say, "This isn't part of the routine"?- The bloke did.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31- Everyone was whooping and hollering. - They thought you were a great act.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33- Like one of those garden sprinklers! - Yeah!
0:20:35 > 0:20:38Laura has only had one bottle of cider tonight,
0:20:38 > 0:20:41so Abbey and Paul need to explore other underlying causes
0:20:41 > 0:20:42for her collapse.
0:20:46 > 0:20:47Your underwear?
0:20:53 > 0:20:54She's blaming her thong!
0:20:54 > 0:20:57- You think that your thong...? - My thong made me faint.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59- Your thong made you faint? - Yeah, genuinely.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03I think this is the first time I've heard anyone suggest
0:21:03 > 0:21:05that their wedgie has made them faint.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07Yeah, genuinely, I think it was the wedgie.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09Personally, I would have thought Spanx
0:21:09 > 0:21:12- might have been more the kind of thing to make you pass out.- Yeah.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16Not that I have any...any knowledge about Spanx and stuff.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23At hospital, it becomes clear
0:21:23 > 0:21:26that it was a vitamin deficiency that caused Laura to faint.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32..OK, and is she breathing?
0:21:32 > 0:21:33She is?
0:21:33 > 0:21:35Back in the control centre,
0:21:35 > 0:21:38the Saturday night shift is getting busier.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41'At the moment, we don't have enough resources available.'
0:21:41 > 0:21:43She was in the bath?
0:21:43 > 0:21:47OK, has she had a...? Listen. Has she had a fit?
0:21:47 > 0:21:51'And there are some very, very difficult decisions to be made by the allocators.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54'Which ones do I hold? Which ones do I send?'
0:21:54 > 0:21:56We've got some help on the way to you, OK?
0:21:56 > 0:21:59They're going to be with you really, really soon.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01'Sometimes you feel like you're playing God.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05'You have to make that decision. Split second - send, don't send.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07'And it's hard.'
0:22:09 > 0:22:13Two hours in, and there's a queue of 53 patients who've been assessed
0:22:13 > 0:22:15and are now waiting for an ambulance,
0:22:15 > 0:22:17and more calls are coming in.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35'Tell me exactly what's happened.'
0:22:44 > 0:22:46'OK. Help has been organised for you.'
0:22:47 > 0:22:49We are on our way to...
0:22:49 > 0:22:52a young child, a girl, female, six years old,
0:22:52 > 0:22:54and she's fallen from her bunk bed.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56Head injury, it says.
0:22:56 > 0:22:57SIREN WAILS
0:22:59 > 0:23:01West London-based crew Ned and Nick
0:23:01 > 0:23:04are on their second call of the night.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08There are now no more ambulances available in this area.
0:23:08 > 0:23:12And within a minute, a further four new calls come in.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14'Can you tell me exactly what's happened?'
0:23:22 > 0:23:24Jase, you seen this 4281?
0:23:24 > 0:23:25- Yeah.- Yeah, thank you.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30Reports coming in of a patient that's been stabbed in the leg,
0:23:30 > 0:23:32losing a lot of blood.
0:23:32 > 0:23:36Within a mile of the stabbing, there are three ambulance crews.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38But all are busy.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41Ned and Nick are on their way to the six-year-old
0:23:41 > 0:23:43who's fallen from her bunk bed.
0:23:43 > 0:23:44This is a lower category call,
0:23:44 > 0:23:47so they are diverted to the stabbing.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50Cancelled.
0:23:52 > 0:23:56One part of the job that's not always easy to do is juggling.
0:23:56 > 0:24:00- So, we're going to a stabbing now. - 6.2 miles.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03You know, you've got one ambulance, two patients,
0:24:03 > 0:24:06both nasty ways of injuring yourself,
0:24:06 > 0:24:09and we've got to make the decision who gets and who waits.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11You know, I'm a dad of a six-year-old girl.
0:24:11 > 0:24:15So if that was my six-year-old girl that's fallen off the bunk bed
0:24:15 > 0:24:16and is waiting for an ambulance,
0:24:16 > 0:24:19I don't care who else is hurt - it's my little girl.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21I want her to get the ambulance.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23Hopefully that little girl's not too badly hurt.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27But if he's stabbed in the leg and there's a lot of blood loss,
0:24:27 > 0:24:30that's going to kill him fairly quickly, so...
0:24:30 > 0:24:35There's another ambulance on the way to her that came up green.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37To the kid? Brilliant. Lovely.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41It's in here somewhere, isn't it?
0:24:44 > 0:24:46'I get worried, sometimes, going to these jobs,
0:24:46 > 0:24:50'because the assailant is probably still around on scene,
0:24:50 > 0:24:52'and it's your job to attend the patient,
0:24:52 > 0:24:54'but also watch your back and your crewmates.'
0:24:54 > 0:24:57And then it should be your first left.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59'There have been a few occasions
0:24:59 > 0:25:02'where I know that I've gone in on my own to go and help a patient
0:25:02 > 0:25:04'full well knowing that there's someone there
0:25:04 > 0:25:06'that could probably cause me harm.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09'It is scary. Very, very scary sometimes.'
0:25:09 > 0:25:12Hold back until police are on scene before making progress, over.
0:25:12 > 0:25:13Yeah, all received now.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15There they are. There's the police.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24Do you guys have a bit of a story of what's gone on at all?
0:25:24 > 0:25:26Not at the moment, no.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28- Our colleagues are upstairs...- OK. - ..dealing with him.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32- OK.- Is he inside?- Apparently so. They're all upstairs.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35The attacker has fled,
0:25:35 > 0:25:38leaving the victim bleeding on his mother's doorstep.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41He doesn't look very well, does he?
0:25:47 > 0:25:49..OK, if that's all right.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52I don't think you're very well at the moment, cos your pulse is...
0:25:52 > 0:25:54Shall we get you in this chair?
0:25:54 > 0:25:56We'll take you down to the ambulance and then we'll get you sorted out.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58Just hold on for a minute.
0:25:58 > 0:25:59One, two, three.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01How long ago did it happen?
0:26:04 > 0:26:07An hour ago? And has it been bleeding all that time?
0:26:07 > 0:26:08Has it?
0:26:10 > 0:26:13Stabbing someone in the wrong place will definitely kill them.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18In my life, it's so unfathomable
0:26:18 > 0:26:20that someone could do that to another person.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22But it happens...often.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25And I have to question whether these people understand
0:26:25 > 0:26:27the consequences of their actions.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29My name's Ned, by the way.
0:26:29 > 0:26:31Nice to meet you, too.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33I just need to put a really small needle in your arm.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35We can give you something for the pain as well.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38Just stay nice and still for me, mate. A quick scratch coming up.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47I grew up in, like, a tiny, tiny village in West Dorset.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50The worst thing you'd ever come across down there
0:26:50 > 0:26:53is that a neighbour's had a fight, someone's been kicked by a cow,
0:26:53 > 0:26:55someone's fallen into a slurry pit,
0:26:55 > 0:26:57so the idea of going to a stabbing
0:26:57 > 0:26:59where someone's actually been stabbed by someone
0:26:59 > 0:27:01is completely removed from my normal life.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04But now it's part of my everyday life, it seems.
0:27:05 > 0:27:10Foxtrot 230, can you show us blue to St Mary's, please?
0:27:10 > 0:27:13It's a major trauma.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17He is saying that it happened an hour ago, from before we arrived,
0:27:17 > 0:27:20so that could be, potentially, quite dangerous
0:27:20 > 0:27:23if, you know, he's been bleeding all that time.
0:27:23 > 0:27:27If you imagine pint glasses, all the blood that's been trickling out
0:27:27 > 0:27:29over the last couple of hours,
0:27:29 > 0:27:31how many pint glasses do you reckon it would have filled up?
0:27:31 > 0:27:33Just a rough guess.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39It's possible that it might have filled up about five pint glasses?
0:27:39 > 0:27:42- HE GROANS - Well, I'll listen to you.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44Just coming up the ramp now, guys.
0:27:47 > 0:27:52In London, 800 crimes are committed with knives every month,
0:27:52 > 0:27:54injuring over 300 people.
0:27:55 > 0:27:57It's becoming more common,
0:27:57 > 0:27:59and certain elements of society have this habit
0:27:59 > 0:28:01of stabbing people in the backside.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03Which...
0:28:03 > 0:28:07It's not so much to do with the injuries that it brings out,
0:28:07 > 0:28:10the stabbing, but the victim will end up
0:28:10 > 0:28:12having to wear a colostomy bag for the rest of their life.
0:28:12 > 0:28:16Is it what they call bagging, innit, Michelle?
0:28:16 > 0:28:17Bagging. They bagged someone.
0:28:19 > 0:28:21Not nice.
0:28:23 > 0:28:24Not nice at all.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29In the first half of tonight's shift,
0:28:29 > 0:28:33the Ambulance Service deals with 44 assaults across London.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36They must balance coping with these
0:28:36 > 0:28:38alongside every other emergency that comes in.
0:29:01 > 0:29:03WOMAN GROANS
0:29:03 > 0:29:05'Tell me exactly what's happened.'
0:29:10 > 0:29:12- 'Right, OK.' - WOMAN GROANS
0:29:12 > 0:29:15An ambulance has been requested in south-west London.
0:29:15 > 0:29:17Dan and Donna are sent to help.
0:29:19 > 0:29:21How have you ended up on the floor today, Margaret?
0:29:21 > 0:29:24- I went out to go on the toilet. - Yeah?
0:29:24 > 0:29:28- I didn't reach the toilet. I reached the door here.- OK.
0:29:28 > 0:29:31I think I had some kind of fit or something.
0:29:31 > 0:29:33What makes you think that, Margaret?
0:29:33 > 0:29:35I was just totally out.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38OK. OK, how much have you had to drink today?
0:29:38 > 0:29:41- Not a lot.- Not a lot?- No.- OK.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44All right, let's sit you up and get you on the bed, then, OK? Three.
0:29:44 > 0:29:46- MARGARET YELLS - Well done.
0:29:46 > 0:29:49Stand up, Margaret, well done.
0:29:49 > 0:29:50- OK?- OK, there we go.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53- OK, have you had this pain in your side before?- No.- No?
0:29:53 > 0:29:56So if you had to give it a number out of ten,
0:29:56 > 0:29:58if ten was really bad and zero was no pain...
0:29:58 > 0:30:00- About a nine.- A nine.
0:30:00 > 0:30:02So really, like, crippling?
0:30:02 > 0:30:03OK.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06- Can I get you a tissue? Your nose is running.- There?
0:30:06 > 0:30:08- Ah!- Where I'm pressing there?
0:30:08 > 0:30:10- It's there.- Your rib.- No, here.
0:30:10 > 0:30:14- Here.- Where I'm pressing. Yeah.- There.
0:30:14 > 0:30:16See, if it's causing you that much pain,
0:30:16 > 0:30:19we should really pop you up to hospital, really.
0:30:20 > 0:30:21Come on, then.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24The London Ambulance Service receives nearly 100
0:30:24 > 0:30:27alcohol-related call-outs every shift.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30On a Saturday night, that number doubles.
0:30:30 > 0:30:34Margaret, do you drink half a bottle of vodka every day?
0:30:34 > 0:30:35No.
0:30:35 > 0:30:39- No? Is it just...? - I've recently come out of rehab.- OK.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42And, basically, I drink about twice a week.
0:30:46 > 0:30:50A lot of the stuff we do is routine, mundane stuff, and you think,
0:30:50 > 0:30:51"Why are we doing this again?
0:30:51 > 0:30:54"Why are you going to this person who's fallen over?"
0:30:54 > 0:30:55But what's the alternative?
0:30:55 > 0:30:58We can't just turn around and tell people who've been drinking
0:30:58 > 0:31:00they can't have an ambulance, partly because we'd be out of jobs.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03There'd only be about four of us sitting here every weekend.
0:31:03 > 0:31:07But also partly because people who do drink become vulnerable.
0:31:07 > 0:31:12Oh, good. I like you because you're helping me.
0:31:12 > 0:31:16Well, of course. It's why I'm in this job, to help people, Margaret.
0:31:16 > 0:31:18OK, let's play another game. How old do you think I look?
0:31:18 > 0:31:21Show me your teeth.
0:31:21 > 0:31:23- Is that an important part, is it? - Yeah.
0:31:23 > 0:31:25- How about my teeth, then? - What about Donna?
0:31:25 > 0:31:29How old do you think Donna, our Care Bear in the front, is?
0:31:29 > 0:31:3125.
0:31:32 > 0:31:3423.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37- Oh, bang on for me... - You took eight years...
0:31:37 > 0:31:39..and pretty close to Donna as well.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42- Yeah, you took a few years off my life.- Just a decade!
0:31:42 > 0:31:44- Well, there you go.- Dan!
0:31:44 > 0:31:47When I put my glad rags on and I've got my face on...
0:31:47 > 0:31:50- I bet you look lovely. - I don't look 50-odd.
0:31:50 > 0:31:52I bet you do.
0:31:54 > 0:31:56So, we'll go this way.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03Halfway through the Saturday night shift and the control centre
0:32:03 > 0:32:07is taking calls at a rate of 250 an hour.
0:32:24 > 0:32:28- Right, so he's been assaulted?- Yeah. - And was there any weapons involved?
0:32:32 > 0:32:33OK. And is he awake?
0:32:38 > 0:32:41Ambulance crews are currently dealing with nine people
0:32:41 > 0:32:45who have been assaulted, including two stabbings.
0:32:45 > 0:32:48- So, we've had a stabbed in the leg. - Yeah.
0:32:48 > 0:32:52We've had a bottled, or slashed across the face,
0:32:52 > 0:32:54- a stabbed in the back.- Yeah.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56Tonight has been a bit of a stab-a-thon.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59Yeah, there's another one just come in now, actually. Where's that one?
0:33:01 > 0:33:03What's the address of the emergency?
0:33:06 > 0:33:09A first response paramedic is already on scene
0:33:09 > 0:33:13and an air ambulance team has been dispatched, but they'll need backup.
0:33:13 > 0:33:14Half a mile away,
0:33:14 > 0:33:18ambulance crew Ned and Nick have just become available.
0:33:18 > 0:33:20ALARM BLARES
0:33:20 > 0:33:23- Another stabbing? - We've got another stabbing.
0:33:26 > 0:33:28It says central stab wounds in Soho.
0:33:38 > 0:33:41- They're still there. - They're still there. Yeah.
0:33:41 > 0:33:42I don't even know if I fit in mine.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45I think I'm probably too fat to get in my stab vest now.
0:33:49 > 0:33:51It's a four-minute journey to the crime scene.
0:33:51 > 0:33:54The police have moved in to cordon it off.
0:33:58 > 0:34:00I've been dealing with him.
0:34:00 > 0:34:04The patient has already has his wound dressed by Stuart,
0:34:04 > 0:34:05the first paramedic on scene.
0:34:10 > 0:34:13- It was a knife. - I'm going to peel it back and...
0:34:13 > 0:34:15It was a knife. Yeah. Let me see it, OK?
0:34:15 > 0:34:17There is a fairly significant amount of blood.
0:34:17 > 0:34:20- Ned.- Ned, hello, Ned. Is this the only one?
0:34:20 > 0:34:22That's the only wound that I found, yeah. That's it.
0:34:22 > 0:34:25So it's already been packaged up by the paramedic
0:34:25 > 0:34:27he's seen previously. But I'd say there's got to be
0:34:27 > 0:34:29more than 500ml in his trousers at the moment.
0:34:29 > 0:34:32In fact, every time he sits down, there's more and more and more.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34And that's just come down from there?
0:34:34 > 0:34:37It appears to have just dribbled down, yeah.
0:34:37 > 0:34:40It was all quite manic when we got here. Like, I'd literally got...
0:34:43 > 0:34:45- Oh, really?- Yeah.
0:34:58 > 0:34:59I know.
0:35:07 > 0:35:08Aye?
0:35:18 > 0:35:21The patient's injury is potentially critical,
0:35:21 > 0:35:24so he's taken to a major trauma unit on blue lights.
0:35:29 > 0:35:31He is the fifth stab victim of the night.
0:35:34 > 0:35:37I can remember when if you got the call for a stabbing,
0:35:37 > 0:35:39- it was a performance.- Yeah.
0:35:39 > 0:35:44Now if we do a shift and we haven't had one, it's a comment of note.
0:35:45 > 0:35:49Right, so I'm holding one, two, three, four,
0:35:49 > 0:35:53five Category A calls all needing ambulances.
0:35:53 > 0:35:58Going to have to take Alpha 230 off that to go on the As.
0:36:00 > 0:36:03Calls are still coming in at over 200 an hour,
0:36:03 > 0:36:06and in the west of London, there are currently no ambulances
0:36:06 > 0:36:08available to deal with them.
0:36:08 > 0:36:13I am dragging Charlie 450 from the other side of London
0:36:13 > 0:36:15to try and help a poorly man,
0:36:15 > 0:36:18and I'm also holding an uncalled Category A call
0:36:18 > 0:36:22and there's no-one anywhere who can help.
0:36:22 > 0:36:23That's it.
0:36:23 > 0:36:26It's busy in Dan and Donna's area, too.
0:36:26 > 0:36:28But they can't help clear the backlog because they are tied up
0:36:28 > 0:36:30with a patient who is homeless
0:36:30 > 0:36:32and has discharged himself from hospital.
0:36:32 > 0:36:33We can't take this out of you.
0:36:33 > 0:36:36We've got to take you up to hospital to have that done, OK?
0:36:36 > 0:36:38I can't do that in this ambulance for you today.
0:36:38 > 0:36:39His cannula needs to be removed.
0:36:39 > 0:36:41Definitely doesn't want to go back to Mary, then.
0:36:41 > 0:36:45- That's fine, we'll go to George's. - Do you drink alcohol, Wayne?- Yes.
0:36:45 > 0:36:47Have you had any alcohol today?
0:36:49 > 0:36:50No?
0:36:52 > 0:36:54General broadcast to all mobiles PDO2.
0:36:54 > 0:36:57Currently holding an uncalled Category A call in Uxbridge.
0:36:57 > 0:37:01Also holding Category A calls in Hayes, Heathrow, West Drayton
0:37:01 > 0:37:03and another one in Hayes.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07If we literally have nothing available at all, no cars,
0:37:07 > 0:37:10no ambulances, no motorbikes, no volunteer responders,
0:37:10 > 0:37:13we'll just put a general broadcast - anybody available, please,
0:37:13 > 0:37:16to assist with an emergency call, and hope,
0:37:16 > 0:37:19sometimes pray, that somebody offers up.
0:37:19 > 0:37:23General broadcast to all mobiles, general broadcast to all mobiles,
0:37:23 > 0:37:25currently holding a Category A call.
0:37:26 > 0:37:29What's this you're drinking?
0:37:29 > 0:37:32- Coca-Cola.- That's not Coca-Cola. That's something else.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35You've diluted that with something. What's in there?
0:37:35 > 0:37:38You can't be having a party on the ambulance, drinking...
0:37:38 > 0:37:41- I'm not, it's orange juice in there. - OK.
0:37:43 > 0:37:45- If I was... - Right, are you ready to go?
0:37:45 > 0:37:47- We're going to head off to the hospital.- Yeah.
0:37:50 > 0:37:55Just because he's pleasant and nice with being drunk and whatever,
0:37:55 > 0:37:58there is a fine line between that and actually taking away from
0:37:58 > 0:38:00the jobs we should be going to.
0:38:00 > 0:38:04He needs to get his cannula removed, that needs to be done in hospital,
0:38:04 > 0:38:08really, but it doesn't need an emergency ambulance.
0:38:08 > 0:38:11And while we're on the scene there,
0:38:11 > 0:38:15there were two general broadcasts over the radio.
0:38:15 > 0:38:17So you do then think sometimes,
0:38:17 > 0:38:20as nice as it is to sit with him chatting, actually,
0:38:20 > 0:38:25there are sick people out there that need us more than him.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43Right, step this way.
0:38:43 > 0:38:44That's it.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47- Well done.- That's it.
0:38:48 > 0:38:50That's it, this way.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56I think the government's out of order at the moment.
0:38:56 > 0:38:58They've cut back on the ambulance crew.
0:39:00 > 0:39:01And they've cut back...
0:39:03 > 0:39:05..on the police force.
0:39:05 > 0:39:07Now, don't get me wrong,
0:39:07 > 0:39:10I'm not a big lover of the police force, but...
0:39:13 > 0:39:14..they are a necessary evil.
0:39:16 > 0:39:18And we need them.
0:39:20 > 0:39:22We need... We do need them.
0:39:22 > 0:39:24This chap here is going to assess you and then he'll sort out
0:39:24 > 0:39:27taking this out for you and getting something to eat for you, OK?
0:39:27 > 0:39:29I want something to eat now.
0:39:29 > 0:39:33I'm going to go and look now to find out what they've got, OK?
0:39:33 > 0:39:36Do you have any sandwiches for patients?
0:39:36 > 0:39:39- There's not been anything since 8.30.- No?
0:39:39 > 0:39:41- Bread and jam.- Yeah?
0:39:41 > 0:39:44They have no sandwiches, but they've got bread and jam.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47Would that be OK? No? You don't like bread and jam?
0:39:51 > 0:39:54He doesn't want bread and jam, but he's quite content now.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56I think he's sleeping.
0:39:56 > 0:39:59He could have been delivered here by other means, maybe,
0:39:59 > 0:40:03but he needs the cannula removed and it's a place of safety for him,
0:40:03 > 0:40:05so we've done the best we can.
0:40:05 > 0:40:08He's here, and if he's hungry and they can offer him some food,
0:40:08 > 0:40:10then what's a sandwich?
0:40:11 > 0:40:12It's nice, isn't it?
0:40:12 > 0:40:16It's just nice to be able to help, do something, at least.
0:40:16 > 0:40:18I can't offer him somewhere to live or change his life,
0:40:18 > 0:40:20but a sandwich is a sandwich, so...
0:40:22 > 0:40:25That guy is taking the piss well and truly.
0:40:25 > 0:40:29He has refused to let them take out his cannula because he knows,
0:40:29 > 0:40:32he's not an idiot, that he'll get found,
0:40:32 > 0:40:35he'll have to get to hospital to get his cannula taken out.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38So we've now taken him to St George's
0:40:38 > 0:40:41at a cost of £450, thereabouts, to the taxpayer.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43So that's a very expensive sandwich, isn't it?
0:40:43 > 0:40:46- He didn't get a sandwich. - Well, whatever.
0:40:46 > 0:40:47But I don't necessarily...
0:40:47 > 0:40:51Yeah, I'm not saying it's right, I'm just saying I understand.
0:40:51 > 0:40:54- So why do you feel sorry for him, then?- Because I do.
0:40:54 > 0:40:57He's homeless, he's hungry and he feels that's his only way
0:40:57 > 0:40:59to get himself something to eat.
0:40:59 > 0:41:02I'm going to go and take the crutch back.
0:41:02 > 0:41:04I'll tell you want. When you go take that crutch back,
0:41:04 > 0:41:06why don't you go and give him a big hug and a pat on the back
0:41:06 > 0:41:09and tell him well done and give him the receipt,
0:41:09 > 0:41:14or actually an invoice for the costs to us when we could have gone
0:41:14 > 0:41:18to that 19-year-old having a fit or the 20-year-old unconscious.
0:41:22 > 0:41:24- You're not upset with me, are you? - No, of course not.
0:41:24 > 0:41:26I still disagree with you
0:41:26 > 0:41:28and I think you shouldn't feel sorry for him.
0:41:28 > 0:41:31You should feel sorry for the people that we've let down,
0:41:31 > 0:41:33that we haven't been able to get to
0:41:33 > 0:41:35because we've been tied up with Mr I Want A Sandwich.
0:41:35 > 0:41:37- Erm, Dan... - Do you feel sorry for them?
0:41:37 > 0:41:40I didn't say that what he did was right
0:41:40 > 0:41:43or that he should be treated over anybody else.
0:41:43 > 0:41:45I just said I understand...
0:41:45 > 0:41:47And you feel sorry for him.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50- I feel sorry for his circumstance. - OK.
0:41:50 > 0:41:53Circumstances are unpleasant, aren't they? But, you know.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56Could be worse.
0:41:56 > 0:42:00- It could be a whole lot worse, yes. - What is a whole lot worse? Tell me.
0:42:00 > 0:42:03- Working with you for a night shift. - That's not funny.
0:42:03 > 0:42:05SHE LAUGHS
0:42:16 > 0:42:19It's Sunday night, the final shift of the weekend.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33Is that that toaster one? Oh, leave off!
0:42:33 > 0:42:35Man, how do you even get your finger trapped in a toaster?
0:42:35 > 0:42:37She must have giant hands.
0:42:37 > 0:42:42# Do you know why you've got feelings in your heart? #
0:42:42 > 0:42:44It's like a game of roulette.
0:42:44 > 0:42:47You know there will be all these jobs waiting for you
0:42:47 > 0:42:51and it's just luck of the draw to which one you're going to get.
0:42:51 > 0:42:56After a run of mundane jobs, it's nice when you push that button
0:42:56 > 0:42:58and you get someone that does seriously need an ambulance.
0:42:58 > 0:43:00# Do you know that
0:43:00 > 0:43:04# Tonight the streets are ours?
0:43:07 > 0:43:12# Tonight the streets are ours
0:43:14 > 0:43:18# These lights in our street are ours... #
0:43:18 > 0:43:22I'm trying to assist you. Do you need assistance?
0:43:22 > 0:43:25- Do you need assistance? Do you need assistance?- No!
0:43:32 > 0:43:34Right, come out of the way.
0:43:34 > 0:43:37Dan and Donna have been sent to treat a taxi driver
0:43:37 > 0:43:39who has been involved in a fracas.
0:43:39 > 0:43:42- The quick story is, guys, that... - Was he knocked out, was he?
0:43:42 > 0:43:45No, no, no, what's happened is, he's assaulted the taxi driver.
0:43:45 > 0:43:46Can we leave it with you?
0:43:46 > 0:43:49I have requested police, because he was getting a bit...
0:43:49 > 0:43:50- Sure, sure.- Yeah.
0:43:52 > 0:43:55I think that might just need some glue on there,
0:43:55 > 0:43:58or maybe a stitch, all right?
0:43:58 > 0:44:01- I'd rather have glue.- Sorry? - I'd rather have the glue.
0:44:02 > 0:44:05Terry would rather drive himself up to hospital, which I said is fine.
0:44:05 > 0:44:08- Are you sure?- Yeah, yeah. - OK, Terry.
0:44:08 > 0:44:10- His numbers are getting better.- OK.
0:44:10 > 0:44:12Because he's got all his stuff in his cab,
0:44:12 > 0:44:15- he doesn't really want to... - Leave it, OK.- Yeah.
0:44:20 > 0:44:22Oh!
0:44:22 > 0:44:24- That was a bit chaotic, wasn't it?- I know.
0:44:24 > 0:44:26But that is what I love about this job.
0:44:26 > 0:44:29When you get on the scene, it's just all chaos has broken loose,
0:44:29 > 0:44:32- isn't it? You never know what you're going to be faced with.- No.
0:44:32 > 0:44:35And that's exactly that, and I love it. Absolutely love it.
0:44:38 > 0:44:42OK, no, OK, I know you've fought with the Germans, OK?
0:44:42 > 0:44:43I'm not disputing that.
0:44:45 > 0:44:48OK, no, OK, I don't think some of these people are Germans, sir, OK?
0:44:48 > 0:44:50So... What I'm asking you, sir,
0:44:50 > 0:44:53is what is exactly wrong that you need an ambulance?
0:44:54 > 0:44:56In the control centre,
0:44:56 > 0:44:59a call is in progress from an elderly patient who lives alone.
0:44:59 > 0:45:02No, no, sir, you can't wait until they come
0:45:02 > 0:45:03because you haven't told me...
0:45:03 > 0:45:05LINE BEEPS, HE GROANS
0:45:09 > 0:45:12He's already been visited once by an ambulance tonight.
0:45:12 > 0:45:15The crew decided that he didn't need a trip to hospital.
0:45:15 > 0:45:17Hello, sir. This is the London Ambulance Service.
0:45:17 > 0:45:19You can't just hang the phone up, OK?
0:45:19 > 0:45:21OK, you're saying you need some help,
0:45:21 > 0:45:24so I need to know what is wrong with you to send you the help.
0:45:25 > 0:45:29OK, your heart is hurting. Thank you very much.
0:45:29 > 0:45:32OK, could I confirm your address once more?
0:45:32 > 0:45:34BEEPING
0:45:34 > 0:45:36He just hung up again.
0:45:36 > 0:45:38Why does he keep hanging up?
0:45:39 > 0:45:42Because the man claims he's experiencing heart pain,
0:45:42 > 0:45:45an ambulance is dispatched.
0:45:45 > 0:45:47Dan and Donna leave the scene of the taxi driver assault
0:45:47 > 0:45:50in central London to attend.
0:45:50 > 0:45:54OK, so the help is on its way to you now, sir, all right?
0:45:54 > 0:45:55OK, thank you very much.
0:46:02 > 0:46:05You're not going to die, all right?
0:46:05 > 0:46:07You just need to take your tablets in the morning,
0:46:07 > 0:46:10in three hours' time.
0:46:10 > 0:46:12Why do you call ambulances?
0:46:12 > 0:46:14Cos you call us a lot, don't you?
0:46:16 > 0:46:22I call a lot because I have pain. I've got pain in my heart.
0:46:22 > 0:46:24OK.
0:46:24 > 0:46:27You were here about half an hour ago.
0:46:27 > 0:46:28We weren't here half an hour ago.
0:46:28 > 0:46:31You had a different crew here before, didn't you?
0:46:31 > 0:46:32Another ambulance crew, yeah.
0:46:32 > 0:46:38At seven o'clock this evening they were here to see you, weren't they?
0:46:38 > 0:46:39You were in hospital yesterday.
0:46:39 > 0:46:43- Was it an ambulance that took you there?- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:46:43 > 0:46:47OK, I've got to pop these on across your chest, OK?
0:46:47 > 0:46:51Just looking through this gentleman's patient care planner
0:46:51 > 0:46:54we've got here.
0:46:54 > 0:47:01He is a frequent caller to us with chest pain,
0:47:01 > 0:47:03non-traumatic chest pain
0:47:03 > 0:47:08and medication queries or catheter problems.
0:47:08 > 0:47:12He used to be an artist, so that's a self-portrait of him, yeah.
0:47:15 > 0:47:19The patient is visited by a carer three times a day.
0:47:19 > 0:47:21Can I just have a listen to your chest? Is that OK?
0:47:25 > 0:47:27Have you had a cough recently at all?
0:47:27 > 0:47:28- Yeah.- You have.
0:47:28 > 0:47:33Just one more thing I want to do, if that's OK - just say "99".
0:47:33 > 0:47:35- Say "99".- 99.
0:47:35 > 0:47:38Just clear your throat. Just go "hem-hem", like that.
0:47:38 > 0:47:40- Yeah.- Say "99".
0:47:40 > 0:47:42- 99.- OK.
0:47:42 > 0:47:46We've checked you over, and from what you've told me
0:47:46 > 0:47:48and the way you've described things, OK,
0:47:48 > 0:47:51I'm not worried that it's your heart.
0:47:51 > 0:47:53It is my heart.
0:47:53 > 0:47:56It is my problem, my heart.
0:47:56 > 0:48:01- You are leaving me alone. - Hmm.- I can die and...
0:48:01 > 0:48:05We can't sit here with you all night, can we?
0:48:05 > 0:48:09You see enough of us, you shouldn't worry too much.
0:48:09 > 0:48:14- I want you to take me to hospital. - Why did you want to go to hospital?
0:48:14 > 0:48:19To be sure that I'm... I will be all right when I...
0:48:19 > 0:48:24- But I'm telling you it's not your heart.- It is my heart.
0:48:25 > 0:48:30I think we'll have to agree to disagree on that one, won't we?
0:48:30 > 0:48:31If there was anything wrong,
0:48:31 > 0:48:35we wouldn't be discharging you here, we'd be taking you to hospital.
0:48:41 > 0:48:44Everything's fine. Try not to worry, all right?
0:48:45 > 0:48:49If we go, are you going to call another ambulance?
0:48:49 > 0:48:53- You are leaving me here?- Hmm.
0:48:53 > 0:48:56- Yeah.- I don't know what to do.
0:48:59 > 0:49:01'His situation is sad.'
0:49:01 > 0:49:03Bye-bye.
0:49:03 > 0:49:08He's got no friends, he's got no family, he lives on his own.
0:49:08 > 0:49:14There should be another system in place that he can call
0:49:14 > 0:49:16for when he gets anxious.
0:49:16 > 0:49:19What system's that?
0:49:19 > 0:49:21There isn't. That's the problem.
0:49:26 > 0:49:30London is very demanding. It's a demanding place to work.
0:49:30 > 0:49:3111 o'clock on a Sunday night,
0:49:31 > 0:49:33you're not getting hold of social services,
0:49:33 > 0:49:35you're not getting hold of the ongoing care teams.
0:49:35 > 0:49:38These people that have got ongoing medical problems
0:49:38 > 0:49:43can't contact their social workers, they can't contact Meals On Wheels,
0:49:43 > 0:49:46they can't get hold of district nurses, and that's where...
0:49:46 > 0:49:48that's where we, the NHS, is failing.
0:49:50 > 0:49:52When I started 15 years ago,
0:49:52 > 0:49:55I thought I was coming here to make a difference, to save lives
0:49:55 > 0:50:00and, you know, deliver babies and do CPR over the telephone.
0:50:00 > 0:50:04The reality, unfortunately, sometimes is starkly different.
0:50:05 > 0:50:08But then every so often, something will come in.
0:50:08 > 0:50:11A call will come in and you'll end up thinking to yourself,
0:50:11 > 0:50:12"Yes, this is it.
0:50:12 > 0:50:16"This is what we came here to do. This is why I do what I do."
0:50:17 > 0:50:20- WOMAN ON PHONE: - Tell me exactly what's happened.
0:50:26 > 0:50:28She's bleeding?
0:50:28 > 0:50:32And how many weeks or months pregnant is she?
0:50:32 > 0:50:3321 weeks?
0:50:35 > 0:50:38Received, premature, 21 weeks and crowning.
0:50:38 > 0:50:42Thanks, I'll get there as soon as I can, thank you.
0:50:42 > 0:50:45A crew is already attending what could be a premature birth
0:50:45 > 0:50:49and they've requested extra support from advanced paramedic Rich.
0:50:52 > 0:50:54550, good evening. This is the APP desk here.
0:50:54 > 0:50:57Just to let you know, AP61 is ten minutes away.
0:50:57 > 0:51:00Initially with this, I just need to be really calm.
0:51:00 > 0:51:03Mum will pick up on any anxieties or any worries that I have.
0:51:03 > 0:51:05Obviously I am going to be concerned about her,
0:51:05 > 0:51:07I'm concerned about the baby as well,
0:51:07 > 0:51:09but mum has to be confident that we can help her,
0:51:09 > 0:51:12that she's safe with us.
0:51:12 > 0:51:14Overall, it'll just be very calm.
0:51:15 > 0:51:19First response paramedic Kelly has been treating the patient
0:51:19 > 0:51:21before Rich arrives.
0:51:21 > 0:51:22This is her fourth pregnancy.
0:51:22 > 0:51:25When I got to her, she was in quite a lot of discomfort.
0:51:25 > 0:51:27I had her on Entonox.
0:51:27 > 0:51:29- Then, all of a sudden, waters broke.- Right, OK.
0:51:29 > 0:51:33- As well as blood, and I could see baby's head.- Right, OK.
0:51:33 > 0:51:36But since the waters have broken, she's in no pain.
0:51:36 > 0:51:39Yeah, I think let's just go now and then we'll do everything else...
0:51:39 > 0:51:41What's the ETA to Queen's?
0:51:41 > 0:51:43About 10 to 12 minutes.
0:51:44 > 0:51:47All right, a little scratch.
0:51:47 > 0:51:49Can you just let him know I'm going to cannulate?
0:51:49 > 0:51:52Just ask him to slow down a little bit and warn me if there's a corner.
0:51:52 > 0:51:54We're going to cannulate, mate. Just slow down a bit.
0:51:57 > 0:51:58It's fine, just done it.
0:51:58 > 0:52:01Thank you. So there is a little bit of bleeding.
0:52:01 > 0:52:02Not sure yet what's going on.
0:52:02 > 0:52:06It might be an early labour, it might be something else.
0:52:06 > 0:52:10What we can't do in the back in here is monitor the baby,
0:52:10 > 0:52:12cos we don't have the equipment,
0:52:12 > 0:52:15so I want to get you up to the hospital as quickly as possible.
0:52:21 > 0:52:23The maternity unit have been pre-alerted,
0:52:23 > 0:52:24so they know we're coming in.
0:52:24 > 0:52:29A potentially difficult case for them, so we've made them aware.
0:52:29 > 0:52:32From the arrival of my colleague, a large amount of amniotic fluid
0:52:32 > 0:52:34or water, PV bleeding and what looked like crowning.
0:52:34 > 0:52:36All right?
0:52:36 > 0:52:39- Good luck.- All the best, OK? All the best.
0:52:47 > 0:52:50The mother's condition stabilises over the next hour,
0:52:50 > 0:52:55but doctors find major complications with a tumour in the placenta.
0:52:55 > 0:52:58Her baby cannot be saved.
0:53:01 > 0:53:02Pete...
0:53:05 > 0:53:10- It's not a good outcome. - No.- So baby's... Baby's died.
0:53:12 > 0:53:14No-one turns up for their day at work
0:53:14 > 0:53:17wanting the outcome to be the worst outcome for the patient.
0:53:17 > 0:53:19You're always fighting for the best outcome.
0:53:19 > 0:53:23When it doesn't happen, despite your best efforts, that...
0:53:23 > 0:53:24It's deflating.
0:53:24 > 0:53:27It does happen, it's part of the job and it takes a little bit of time
0:53:27 > 0:53:31to process that and then to move on with the rest of the shift.
0:53:31 > 0:53:33We've all got to go back to work, despite what happens.
0:53:33 > 0:53:37The APP said they're OK, but...
0:53:37 > 0:53:39people say they're OK when they're not.
0:53:41 > 0:53:45As I left her, her parting words to me were, "Thank you.
0:53:45 > 0:53:48"I hope my baby lives."
0:53:50 > 0:53:53And then to be told by the nurses that it hasn't...
0:53:53 > 0:53:56What I'm going through pales in comparison
0:53:56 > 0:53:58to what they're going through.
0:53:58 > 0:54:01I can't even imagine what they're going through.
0:54:01 > 0:54:06But...you kind of brush yourself off and come in again the next day
0:54:06 > 0:54:08or go on to your next job
0:54:08 > 0:54:12because there's somebody else that you can help.
0:54:12 > 0:54:16That help... That helps spur you on,
0:54:16 > 0:54:19but sometimes it's just not easy.
0:54:19 > 0:54:21It's not easy.
0:54:26 > 0:54:28I'm going to pop out,
0:54:28 > 0:54:34cos my twins were 21 weeks, and it's actually hit me a little bit.
0:54:37 > 0:54:40My wife and I lost twins at 21 weeks last year,
0:54:40 > 0:54:43our son and our daughter, Lily and Max.
0:54:43 > 0:54:44Yeah, it's upsetting.
0:54:44 > 0:54:47'You don't let a lot get to you doing this job, cos you can't,
0:54:47 > 0:54:50'but there will be maybe one a week that does stick with you
0:54:50 > 0:54:51'and that you do think about.
0:54:51 > 0:54:54'Sometimes it makes you realise why you do the job,
0:54:54 > 0:54:57'but then other times it just makes you want to go home and give
0:54:57 > 0:55:01'your loved ones a cuddle and just sort of remind yourselves
0:55:01 > 0:55:03'that there's things away from the job.
0:55:03 > 0:55:04'More important things.'
0:55:16 > 0:55:19A salt beef bagel from Brick Lane.
0:55:19 > 0:55:22Just what's needed at five o'clock in the morning.
0:55:22 > 0:55:23It's amazing.
0:55:23 > 0:55:26# Steel yourself
0:55:26 > 0:55:29# May your wheels run true
0:55:29 > 0:55:33# I just want... #
0:55:34 > 0:55:36It should be a nice day, I think.
0:55:36 > 0:55:38- A nice day. In bed. - What size of bed...?
0:55:38 > 0:55:40Have you got a double bed
0:55:40 > 0:55:42or have you got a super king-sized bed like me?
0:55:42 > 0:55:45Why do you keep going on about this king-sized bed?
0:55:45 > 0:55:48- Do you like quite a firm bed?- Yeah.
0:55:48 > 0:55:50- Do you? Really? - Why wouldn't I like that?
0:55:50 > 0:55:51Uh, that's weird.
0:55:51 > 0:55:54- You're weird.- It's not weird, man.
0:55:54 > 0:55:58# Don't let the grass grow
0:55:58 > 0:56:00# Don't let the wheels... #
0:56:00 > 0:56:04No, I think I'll get home, I'll get into bed and I'll sleep,
0:56:04 > 0:56:06then I'll get up and do it all again tonight.
0:56:06 > 0:56:08What, are you going to do more?
0:56:08 > 0:56:10- Yeah.- That's why you're doing so much overtime, is it?
0:56:10 > 0:56:13Yeah, I sleep, breathe it.
0:56:13 > 0:56:15You need to get a life.
0:56:17 > 0:56:19I think being a paramedic is an important job,
0:56:19 > 0:56:22but it's a job that's changing.
0:56:22 > 0:56:25It's no longer just going out to genuine emergencies any more,
0:56:25 > 0:56:26you know?
0:56:26 > 0:56:31You are almost a social worker, a mental health practitioner,
0:56:31 > 0:56:34a district nurse, a GP, a policeman.
0:56:34 > 0:56:38Yeah, honestly, at what point do we stop? At what point do we say,
0:56:38 > 0:56:44"No, we can't do any more. That's out of our scope of practice"?
0:56:44 > 0:56:47# I told myself
0:56:47 > 0:56:50# No good feeling blue... #
0:56:50 > 0:56:52This old girl came on the phone one night.
0:56:52 > 0:56:55She said, "I just want to say thank you to you for coming round
0:56:55 > 0:56:58"earlier and picking me up off the floor. You really done me a treat."
0:56:58 > 0:57:03I was gobsmacked. All it takes is one person saying thank you.
0:57:03 > 0:57:06Making a difference to that one person will set you up
0:57:06 > 0:57:08for a night full of nonsense.
0:57:09 > 0:57:15# The way I'm feeling too
0:57:15 > 0:57:19# Don't let the grass grow
0:57:19 > 0:57:24# Don't let the wheels make you slow
0:57:24 > 0:57:27# Your hat is on
0:57:27 > 0:57:30# You're on your way now
0:57:30 > 0:57:34# Don't let the grass grow
0:57:34 > 0:57:39# Just let the wheels bring you home
0:57:39 > 0:57:41# Your hat is on... #