0:00:05 > 0:00:06Ambulance. Is the patient breathing?
0:00:13 > 0:00:16Every year in Britain, 12 million people dial 999
0:00:16 > 0:00:18for an emergency ambulance,
0:00:18 > 0:00:20more than 3,000 a day in the West Midlands.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23Right, stop screaming and listen to me.
0:00:23 > 0:00:25Listen, don't be afraid to push too hard.
0:00:25 > 0:00:27One and two and three, one and two and three.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29CPR in progress.
0:00:29 > 0:00:30SIRENS BLARE
0:00:30 > 0:00:32Everyone, clear.
0:00:32 > 0:00:36Each call tells the story of a person in desperate need...
0:00:36 > 0:00:39Can you upgrade it to a red, please? He's been badly beaten.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41Do you know what it was you were stabbed with, Dom?
0:00:41 > 0:00:44..and with call numbers doubling in the last decade...
0:00:44 > 0:00:47Keep going! He's here. The head's here, the head's here, nearly. Yeah.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49I can't! You can!
0:00:49 > 0:00:53..for our public services, a situation that is now critical.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55They've got to find somewhere for him.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57They can't just say there's no beds.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00Is this literally what you've got, what you're standing up in?
0:01:00 > 0:01:02You've got nothing else?
0:01:02 > 0:01:03OK.
0:01:03 > 0:01:04The failure of the system.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06Oh, God.
0:01:07 > 0:01:09Oh, my God.
0:01:09 > 0:01:11What was he doing?
0:01:11 > 0:01:13All right, guys, just one minute.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16Cameras follow cases as they unfold, minute by minute...
0:01:16 > 0:01:18Two ambulances, please, if possible.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20OK, yeah, as long as you're all right
0:01:20 > 0:01:22I'll get everybody to you as quick as I can.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24..in the control room... Confirmed, life extinct.
0:01:25 > 0:01:27Oh, man.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29..and on the ground...
0:01:29 > 0:01:30Sorry for your loss.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34..as the West Midlands Ambulance Service race to save lives.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36They are coming to you, blue lights and sirens,
0:01:36 > 0:01:38as fast as they possibly can.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41Is he breathing?
0:01:41 > 0:01:43Can you see the helicopter?
0:01:43 > 0:01:44You're no trouble, honestly.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46Everybody needs help sometimes, don't they?
0:01:46 > 0:01:49This is the story behind the sirens.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52Nee-naw. Nee-naw, nee-naw.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54Get out the way, I'm driving.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57SIRENS BLARE
0:02:00 > 0:02:04This programme contains strong language and scenes which some viewers may find upsetting
0:02:07 > 0:02:09Ambulance Service. Is the patient breathing?
0:02:14 > 0:02:16OK, and she's not breathing?
0:02:20 > 0:02:22OK, do you want to start CPR?
0:02:24 > 0:02:27Wednesday, half an hour into the day shift
0:02:27 > 0:02:29and the West Midlands Ambulance Service
0:02:29 > 0:02:31is dealing with seven chest pains,
0:02:31 > 0:02:3512 falls and an elderly woman who is in cardiac arrest.
0:02:36 > 0:02:37You're doing really well.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39WEEPING
0:02:47 > 0:02:51In Staffordshire, paramedics are on scene with a 75-year-old woman who
0:02:51 > 0:02:53called with abdominal pain.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04Yeah, stand by.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07After assessing the patient, the paramedics have discovered that
0:03:07 > 0:03:09she's having a serious heart attack.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12They've requested another ambulance to assist them.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19Control dispatch the nearest available crew, Dave and Mick,
0:03:19 > 0:03:21to back them up.
0:03:21 > 0:03:234452.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26You're on scene at this one, please. Salt Avenue in Stafford.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30The lady there's having an MI. Asking for a second crew, please.
0:03:30 > 0:03:31Roger.
0:03:34 > 0:03:36You've just been flashed.
0:03:36 > 0:03:40I do apologise. Will you pay the fine?
0:03:40 > 0:03:43It's your turn this time. Is it? Yeah.
0:03:43 > 0:03:44I'll have to save up.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46Those pensions are poor.
0:03:49 > 0:03:54Mick retired eight years ago, but missed his life and rejoined.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57At 71, he has no plans to retire soon.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02SIRENS BLARE
0:04:02 > 0:04:04By the time they arrive,
0:04:04 > 0:04:07the patient has been showing symptoms for over two hours.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12Hello. This is Dave, Denise.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14Hello. How are you?
0:04:14 > 0:04:17What's the lady's name? It's Denise.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20You're very cold, Denise.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22We're going to get you in.
0:04:25 > 0:04:26Oh, dear.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30Oh, Denise.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33We've got an ambulance here, that's the right thing.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35Are you all right?
0:04:35 > 0:04:37Coping? All right?
0:04:37 > 0:04:39We'll sort her out for you, all right?
0:04:43 > 0:04:45How long have you been married, then?
0:04:47 > 0:04:5150-odd years. Have you?
0:04:51 > 0:04:54Come on, it's going to be all right. Have you got somebody you can ring?
0:04:54 > 0:04:57I've rung my son to tell him.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59Are you going to come with us? Yeah, if you don't mind?
0:04:59 > 0:05:01That's no problem at all.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05Let's put this on the head, make it more comfortable for you a bit.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07Is that all right?
0:05:08 > 0:05:10Don't run around too much,
0:05:10 > 0:05:12else we'll be picking you up off t'floor as well.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19Denise, do you feel sick?
0:05:19 > 0:05:22Yeah? This is anti-sickness, this is, darling, OK?
0:05:23 > 0:05:27Quite often you've got two patients,
0:05:27 > 0:05:30the actual patient and the near relative,
0:05:30 > 0:05:34because what's happening to their relative, it's upsetting.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37One more and you're there.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39So you have got to treat both.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43We're on the way, sir. We'll be going a bit fast.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46That's all right. All right? OK.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50That's so your wife can have the best treatment possible
0:05:50 > 0:05:53in the shortest time, all right? OK.
0:05:54 > 0:06:00I seem to be able to talk with people and have empathy with them.
0:06:01 > 0:06:05But I think we've all got this compassionate side,
0:06:05 > 0:06:06otherwise you wouldn't do this job.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11There's a hospital two miles away,
0:06:11 > 0:06:14but Denise needs specialist care from the cardiac unit
0:06:14 > 0:06:18at Royal Stoke and that is 16 miles away.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20At this time of day, even on blue lights,
0:06:20 > 0:06:22because it's really busy up there,
0:06:22 > 0:06:26it's going to be about 20 minutes and it's all time critical now.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28SIRENS BLARE
0:06:28 > 0:06:29Oh, my God.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37They're not going to let you through.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44Is she all right?
0:06:44 > 0:06:47She's OK, John, yeah, yeah.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49Just trying to get rid of some of this nasty pain for her.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52OK? Good. We're looking after her, John. Are you OK?
0:06:52 > 0:06:54Yeah.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56We'll look after her.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06Got it? Done, yeah.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09We'll get you in straightaway, Denise, don't worry.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12Denise has been suffering her heart attack for over three hours.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18The cardiac team must urgently unblock her arteries.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20You just relax, all right?
0:07:20 > 0:07:23You're going to be all right, don't worry.
0:07:23 > 0:07:24Ready, steady, slide.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49Hiya. Sorry to be so long.
0:07:50 > 0:07:54As you know, John, your wife's had a heart attack.
0:07:54 > 0:07:58She has had a heart attack. She has, yeah.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01Which we knew at the time when we've come here.
0:08:01 > 0:08:06Yeah. They've took her in to unblock the arteries.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11I would imagine you've had a lot of challenges
0:08:11 > 0:08:14during your marriage over the years.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17This is another one and it's going in the right direction
0:08:17 > 0:08:19at the moment, mate, all right?
0:08:21 > 0:08:22OK?
0:08:24 > 0:08:28She's in the best place, she's having the best treatment.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30OK. All right? I believe you, yeah.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34And everything's going right at the moment, OK?
0:08:34 > 0:08:36She is, John, she's a lot more settled.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38You'll be able to see her in a moment, all right?
0:08:38 > 0:08:40They'll have you through with her very soon.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52Three miles from Royal Stoke Hospital,
0:08:52 > 0:08:55Matt and Ryan have just cleared from their second elderly patient
0:08:55 > 0:08:58of the morning. Want to eat the oatcakes now?
0:09:00 > 0:09:04There was two bacon. I think that's bacon and cheese.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07Are they both bacon? Yeah... That's bacon.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09That's bacon and sausage.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11That's yours. That's sausage.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13Oh, right, this must be bacon.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15Oh, that's just nice.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17It's quite warm now.
0:09:18 > 0:09:23Better with brown sauce on it but they didn't have any brown sauce.
0:09:23 > 0:09:24Always got to complain, haven't you?
0:09:26 > 0:09:29Ambulance Service. Is the patient breathing?
0:09:33 > 0:09:34OK.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37The shower or the shed?
0:09:39 > 0:09:41OK. How old is he, please?
0:09:43 > 0:09:45This morning in Staffordshire,
0:09:45 > 0:09:48almost half of all calls have been for people over 70.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51Somebody's fallen in a shed and hurt his hip.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54He says he's got cancer of the spine as well.
0:09:54 > 0:09:56What's he doing in the shed? Yeah.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07Hello, sir. Let's get to you, mate.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09Have you hurt this hip before at all?
0:10:12 > 0:10:15Right, and have you not been able to move it since you've fallen?
0:10:18 > 0:10:20Shall we have a quick feel?
0:10:20 > 0:10:22Is it round in your bottom or so?
0:10:23 > 0:10:25Up here in, like, your pelvis?
0:10:27 > 0:10:29What were you doing in your shed?
0:10:31 > 0:10:33Tidying up? Do you keep pigeons?
0:10:33 > 0:10:34Are they pigeons that you keep?
0:10:35 > 0:10:36Oh, right. OK.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40What did you used to do for a job?
0:10:41 > 0:10:44Were you? It's pretty standard, isn't it, for round here?
0:10:46 > 0:10:47Another one.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49We'll get you some gas and air for now.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54There's a possibility that you might have broken your hip.
0:10:56 > 0:10:57We've got to move you at some point.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59We obviously want to give you some pain relief.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02We don't want to just move you without. All right, then.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04I'm going to get you some gas and air and you can start taking that
0:11:04 > 0:11:07now and that should kick in by the time we have to move you.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09All right. I'll go grab that.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11He's a proper Stokie, aren't you?
0:11:13 > 0:11:16How did you manage to let your wife know that you'd fallen?
0:11:18 > 0:11:19Right.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23What's your missus going to be doing?
0:11:23 > 0:11:25Is she going to be coming with us?
0:11:25 > 0:11:28All right, we'll go to speak to her.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32That's normal for it to change the tone of your voice, OK? Yeah.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34So...
0:11:36 > 0:11:41No. You might have to have an operation on this leg to correct it.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45Have they?
0:11:45 > 0:11:47You seem very optimistic about it all!
0:11:50 > 0:11:51It may not be that, we'll see.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54In relation to the long-term, I don't know...
0:11:54 > 0:11:57That's obviously the hospital's decision in what they do.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03Yeah, OK.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07Ryan's going to grab your leg so they go together, OK?
0:12:08 > 0:12:10That's it.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14Ready? One, two, three.
0:12:16 > 0:12:17OK.
0:12:18 > 0:12:20Bring that leg in for me.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23Yeah. So you can see how your leg is that much shorter
0:12:23 > 0:12:27than the other one.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29I think it's pretty... It's a good cert
0:12:29 > 0:12:32that you've got a bit of a fracture to this hip somewhere.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36It isn't really good, is it?
0:12:38 > 0:12:40You're looking good, my love.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42Hair's looking good.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45Is it good? Yeah, it looks better than mine, doesn't it?
0:12:48 > 0:12:50Oh, dear. Don't worry about it.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54We think he might have broken his hip, unfortunately.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58Are you coming up the hospital with him?
0:12:58 > 0:13:00His son's on his way somewhere. OK.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04No, no, no.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13I know!
0:13:15 > 0:13:17You can leave me here now, if you want.
0:13:17 > 0:13:18You're comfortable?
0:13:24 > 0:13:26So, head end.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30It's the opposite way to where we are. OK.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38When did you retire, then? How old were you when you retired?
0:13:41 > 0:13:43Was that from the pot bank? Yeah.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47I bet you have oatcakes at least once a week, don't you?
0:13:53 > 0:13:55Cost kick a bo against a wo.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06Ambulance Service. Is the patient breathing?
0:14:07 > 0:14:09Hello, this is the Ambulance Service.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18In the control room, a call is in progress for a woman
0:14:18 > 0:14:20who thinks she's in labour in a car
0:14:20 > 0:14:24on the side of a road near Bridgnorth.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26How far from Highley are you?
0:14:26 > 0:14:27WOMAN:
0:14:29 > 0:14:31MAN:
0:14:31 > 0:14:33Say that again. What did the other man say?
0:14:45 > 0:14:47Open the sac.
0:14:51 > 0:14:55Right, OK, don't pull that baby. Do not pull that baby.
0:15:01 > 0:15:02Is the baby out the sac?
0:15:04 > 0:15:06OK, is the baby breathing?
0:15:08 > 0:15:11Tap on his feet for me, is he crying?
0:15:12 > 0:15:14OK, is he awake?
0:15:14 > 0:15:15Come on, baby.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19OK, so he's not. Is he breathing? Listen to me - is he breathing?
0:15:21 > 0:15:24Is he breathing? Is he breathing?
0:15:26 > 0:15:28Is he breathing?
0:15:30 > 0:15:32Tap his feet, is he breathing?
0:15:32 > 0:15:34He hasn't cried yet. Is he breathing, though?
0:15:36 > 0:15:38You need to take him and put your mouth completely over
0:15:38 > 0:15:40the baby's mouth and nose.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44Blow gently two to three seconds. Do this five times.
0:15:44 > 0:15:45Do it now.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48Yes.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50Blow gently.
0:15:53 > 0:15:54Have you done that five times?
0:15:55 > 0:15:57Yeah? Is the baby breathing?
0:15:59 > 0:16:01Is he breathing?
0:16:04 > 0:16:06Lovely, that's a good noise to hear.
0:16:06 > 0:16:07How old's Mum?
0:16:12 > 0:16:14She didn't know she was pregnant?
0:16:14 > 0:16:15OK, all right.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23You've done really, really well.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26I'll leave you, Victoria.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28Thank you for your help.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30Not a problem.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32Congratulations to Mum. Thank you. Bye.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43It's that one there as well? It's attached to it.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47Mick and Dave have been at the station on a break
0:16:47 > 0:16:49and are back on stand-by, ready for action.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54That young girl... Yeah.
0:16:54 > 0:16:59She said, "Who are you with?" I says, "Dave Minard."
0:16:59 > 0:17:01I think she's in love with you, mate.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07You can't be saying stuff like that, Mick.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09Don't get me into any trouble with the wife!
0:17:14 > 0:17:174452.
0:17:17 > 0:17:1952, thank you.
0:17:19 > 0:17:21Mick, Andover Place, Cannock, please.
0:17:21 > 0:17:2356-year-old, cardiac arrest, please.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26SIRENS BLARE
0:17:33 > 0:17:36Mick and Dave are three miles from the patient.
0:17:36 > 0:17:41To back them up, the control room also dispatches William and Gail
0:17:41 > 0:17:44in Ambulance 4453.
0:17:44 > 0:17:4753. 4453, thank you.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50Cannock, please, for a cardiac arrest.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55He's very young to be cardiac arrest. 56?
0:17:55 > 0:17:57We've got two crews running on it, they're both running
0:17:57 > 0:18:01between two and a half and three and a half miles for it.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04For a cardiac arrest, we always send two in case CPR's needed,
0:18:04 > 0:18:06because it's real hard work for one crew.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10We back up, naturally. You know, this is life and death.
0:18:13 > 0:18:154452.
0:18:15 > 0:18:16The other crew are with you.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18It's very much neck and neck at the moment.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21I think you'll be slightly ahead going in.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23Thank you.
0:18:23 > 0:18:27If you grab the two bags, Mick, I'll grab those. OK.
0:18:30 > 0:18:31Is that it there?
0:18:32 > 0:18:34She's there.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49Hiya.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52OK, when was he last seen alive?
0:18:52 > 0:18:56Half past four was the last breath he took. OK.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58BEEPING
0:18:58 > 0:19:00He's gone, I think.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02There's no point in another coming.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04No, no.
0:19:04 > 0:19:05He's got a DNR? OK.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11The patient, Paul, had been suffering from cancer
0:19:11 > 0:19:14and signed a do not resuscitate request.
0:19:14 > 0:19:184452, just to confirm this is a K22.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22The gent has got a DNR in place as well.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25So there's no requirement for the other crew.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27Thank you, they're just pulling up outside.
0:19:27 > 0:19:28I'll let them know. Thank you.
0:19:30 > 0:19:3253.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34Gail, you can cancel, please.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36Stand down, stand down.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38Unfortunately this gent's... Patient's deceased.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41The other crew are there. OK.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47THEY WEEP
0:19:49 > 0:19:53The DNR was only signed on the 9th of this month.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56He's got metastatic bowel cancer.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04Poor chap.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06I'll just lift his head a bit
0:20:06 > 0:20:09and we might be able to shut his mouth a bit.
0:20:09 > 0:20:10For the family.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14OK, sir. Come on.
0:20:22 > 0:20:23Hiya.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27We've confirmed that Paul's unfortunately passed.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30Obviously it's a difficult time for yourselves now.
0:20:30 > 0:20:31If you don't mind,
0:20:31 > 0:20:35we might have to ask you a few questions just to fill in the gaps,
0:20:35 > 0:20:38if that's OK with yourselves. That's fine. OK.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40My name's Dave and this is Mick. I'm Mick.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42Has he been in the hospital recently at all?
0:20:42 > 0:20:44He was in hospital eight weeks ago.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47They discharged him approximately eight weeks ago
0:20:47 > 0:20:49from Newcross Hospital. OK.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51He's been on palliative care ever since.
0:20:51 > 0:20:57Right. OK. They gave him between six and 12 weeks, approximately.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59OK.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07I've got to ask for a next of kin.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09That's me. That's yourself.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11Daughter, wasn't it? Yeah, middle daughter. Yeah.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13And your full name, sorry?
0:21:29 > 0:21:31Hello, TeleMed, it's 4452.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34Can I pass all these details of Form 12s, please?
0:21:36 > 0:21:41Yeah, sure. The patient's name was a Paul Steven Jellyman.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44He was born in Stoke-on-Trent.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47Yeah, he was a delivery driver previously.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52I confirmed at 16:57.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58He was found supine in his bed.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07Certainly most people who get towards my age
0:22:07 > 0:22:11have come across death quite a few times in their life.
0:22:13 > 0:22:18And I've had experience of holding someone while they were
0:22:18 > 0:22:21completely passing away.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26My first wife cardiac arrested on me.
0:22:30 > 0:22:35So you can understand what people are going to go through.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42It's like shell shock in a battle.
0:22:45 > 0:22:51What helped me was my son and my daughter,
0:22:51 > 0:22:55and I had plenty of memories to think about.
0:22:57 > 0:22:58Good memories.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03Undertakers generally come out within an hour.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06They've got our number as well if there's any problems and obviously
0:23:06 > 0:23:09Emma's as well, and I'm sure there won't be. OK?
0:23:09 > 0:23:12All right. I'm sorry for your loss, anyway. It's all right.
0:23:12 > 0:23:13Come on.
0:23:20 > 0:23:21OK? Yeah.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38Hello, it's the Ambulance Service. Are you the patient?
0:23:38 > 0:23:40Hello, sweetheart. I understand you've been bitten twice
0:23:40 > 0:23:42on your leg by a dog, is that right?
0:23:42 > 0:23:45OK. Don't worry, we're going to arrange some help for you.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49Do you know what type of dog it is, what breed it is?
0:23:49 > 0:23:51Jack Russell, OK.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53HE HUMS A TUNE
0:23:53 > 0:23:55Vehicle not required.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58It's the Thursday day shift.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02Controller Mike is working out where to send Matt and Ryan.
0:24:02 > 0:24:04HE EXHALES
0:24:04 > 0:24:0650, you're not going to believe it,
0:24:06 > 0:24:10our regular is asking us to attend him at Coral bookmakers.
0:24:10 > 0:24:11No way!
0:24:11 > 0:24:15Third time today we've been out to him, anyway.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18Went mid morning, we went about two hours ago.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21Third ambulance today!
0:24:21 > 0:24:24Yeah, we'll go and have a word with him.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27This will be the 17th time the Ambulance Service has seen
0:24:27 > 0:24:30this patient this month.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32He just goes out, calls an ambulance.
0:24:32 > 0:24:36When we get there, he refuses treatment, just wants taken home.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39You know, within minutes or hours, he's back out the door again.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42You're losing the battle, really.
0:24:44 > 0:24:48I'd love to know how many times we've been to him. Hundreds.
0:24:50 > 0:24:52That's him there, smoking.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06All I want is to go home. You need a taxi, not an ambulance.
0:25:06 > 0:25:07We can't take you back home.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10Please tell me you haven't asked for an ambulance to take you home?
0:25:10 > 0:25:11I haven't asked for an ambulance.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14The lady just said you keep asking everybody to ring you an ambulance.
0:25:14 > 0:25:18No. Three ambulances you've had today. Have I?
0:25:18 > 0:25:19BOTH: Yeah.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22You've been taken home twice already.
0:25:22 > 0:25:2410:30 this morning and then you...
0:25:24 > 0:25:26I might have done, I don't know.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29It's definite. It's definitely happened.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31That's quite worrying, isn't it, from our point of view?
0:25:32 > 0:25:34No. Right.
0:25:35 > 0:25:39OK. Just so you know... I want to go...
0:25:39 > 0:25:41We're not happy with your clinical situation at the moment.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44We're not happy. There's nothing wrong with it.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46You keep repeating yourself over and over, and over.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48I have to because you keep on...
0:25:49 > 0:25:53But you're telling me you can't remember having two ambulances out.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55How can you not remember that?
0:25:58 > 0:26:00VOICE-OVER: We go to many different regulars.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02They expect us to just take them home.
0:26:02 > 0:26:06They expect us to take them to the pub.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10You name it, I've probably come across it in 14 years.
0:26:10 > 0:26:15It's costing the Ambulance Service, and the NHS as a whole, a fortune
0:26:15 > 0:26:20if these people are having 50, 60, 70 attendances through the year.
0:26:20 > 0:26:24And the implications it has on other patients who could have had that
0:26:24 > 0:26:28ambulance. So there's other pathways to look at for these people.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31You've got to draw the line at some point.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35I'm a bit concerned about his mental health, to be quite honest.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38If he's saying that he can't remember having two ambulances
0:26:38 > 0:26:39and being taken home twice,
0:26:39 > 0:26:43it's not right to sort of keep allowing this to happen, really.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50Yeah, roger that. I'll chase it up with the police.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54Matt and Ryan hope police can persuade the patient
0:26:54 > 0:26:57to accept long-term help, but they can't leave him on his own
0:26:57 > 0:27:00so need to wait until officers arrive.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04Oh, dear.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06Ambulance Service. Is the patient breathing?
0:27:07 > 0:27:08Yes.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15Let me find out what's going on.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17Are you coming with us, yeah?
0:27:19 > 0:27:22Are you on the phone to the Ambulance Service, sir?
0:27:22 > 0:27:23Why have you asked for it?
0:27:23 > 0:27:25We can't take you home.
0:27:25 > 0:27:26Yes, you can. No, we can't.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29We're an emergency Ambulance Service.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31DISPATCHER: Right, OK, I can hear what's going on.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33You've just rang... You've knocked on this chap's door.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36It's OK, darling. I work for the Ambulance Service.
0:27:36 > 0:27:37We're on vehicle 4450.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40Yeah, this gentleman's now walked up the road
0:27:40 > 0:27:41and knocked on number 46.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44I think we've just had another call for it.
0:27:46 > 0:27:48He's asked for an ambulance to take him home again.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55I can't believe he's knocked on there.
0:27:55 > 0:27:56PHONE RINGS
0:27:56 > 0:27:57Hello.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00Can I request your attendance on this one, please?
0:28:00 > 0:28:02He's a real handful.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05We could do with some officers there pronto, please.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07He's knocking on members of the public's door
0:28:07 > 0:28:09asking for them to send him an ambulance,
0:28:09 > 0:28:12even though there's one following him several yards behind.
0:28:12 > 0:28:16This is the third time we've been called to him today.
0:28:16 > 0:28:19There's a question over his capacity.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23He's flagging somebody else down now.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26He's going to be doing it again and again, and again.
0:28:28 > 0:28:31We're with him, mate. He keeps walking off from us.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34We'll deal with it, yeah. You're on your way.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37Watch your feet, Matt. Why are you stopping cars now?
0:28:37 > 0:28:40I'm not stopping cars. He stopped. We've just seen you.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43We just watched. He just stopped. We saw you flag him down.
0:28:43 > 0:28:45You're a bloody liar.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47Right, come here a minute.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50He keeps walking off every time they go near him to try and...
0:28:52 > 0:28:55..to try and deal with him in any way or do anything with him.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58It takes 30 minutes for the police to arrive.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01He wants an ambulance? Yeah, he's asking everybody for an ambulance.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04Now he's saying he doesn't. He said he hasn't had an ambulance today.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06He's had three. All he wants, mate, is an ambulance
0:29:06 > 0:29:08to take him home every single time. That's all he wants.
0:29:08 > 0:29:12They arrange for their mental health team to assess the patient.
0:29:12 > 0:29:14We'll follow him down and I'll get a few details
0:29:14 > 0:29:16and make sure everything's OK. All right. You can shoot off.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19All right. Cheers, chaps. Thank you very much.
0:29:19 > 0:29:21Something needs to be done.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24He's got dementia or something that nobody's picked up on.
0:29:24 > 0:29:27There's got to... There's got to be something. The only way...
0:29:27 > 0:29:31The sooner we put a stop to it, the better. Unreal.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38Ambulance Service. Is the patient breathing?
0:29:41 > 0:29:42Are they conscious?
0:29:43 > 0:29:45OK, what's happened?
0:29:48 > 0:29:51A wound to the throat? Has the patient been assaulted?
0:29:58 > 0:30:00Right. OK, help is being arranged.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06Can you calm down? Is she breathing noisily...
0:30:18 > 0:30:2111pm, and twin sisters Karen and Julie
0:30:21 > 0:30:25are working their regular Friday night shift together.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30Right, listen... Listen, if you're saying...
0:30:31 > 0:30:33If she's not breathing in and out normally,
0:30:33 > 0:30:35you need to help her breathing, OK?
0:30:35 > 0:30:38So, put me on loudspeaker now.
0:30:38 > 0:30:42Karen is trying to talk an aggressive caller through first aid.
0:30:42 > 0:30:44Paramedics and police have been dispatched.
0:30:46 > 0:30:48Is she able to talk to you?
0:30:54 > 0:30:56Right, all we're trying to do is help her, OK?
0:30:56 > 0:30:58If the blood comes through that wound,
0:30:58 > 0:31:01put another cover on top so it doesn't bleed out.
0:31:05 > 0:31:07Can you please stop shouting and swearing?
0:31:07 > 0:31:09What's your name, please?
0:31:11 > 0:31:14There is an ambulance there, OK?
0:31:14 > 0:31:15They're coming as quickly as they can.
0:31:24 > 0:31:26Are the crew there with you, sir?
0:31:28 > 0:31:29I'll let you go, sir. All the best.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37The police are there. He said the police are there, yeah.
0:31:37 > 0:31:38The police are there? Yeah.
0:31:48 > 0:31:52I'm sorry, Deirdre, I don't normally get like this. It's OK.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57It's OK. Don't worry.
0:32:02 > 0:32:04OK.
0:32:07 > 0:32:11Karen's call was the 90th trauma of the Friday night shift.
0:32:12 > 0:32:17By 11:15pm, the control room is taking a new 999 call
0:32:17 > 0:32:18every 20 seconds.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23A quarter of them are alcohol-related.
0:32:23 > 0:32:24What's happened?
0:32:35 > 0:32:37Is he intoxicated?
0:32:40 > 0:32:43In east Staffordshire, there's an emergency call
0:32:43 > 0:32:45for a 17-year-old in need.
0:32:47 > 0:32:48Right. Is he awake?
0:32:53 > 0:32:56Paramedics Connor and Sam are the nearest available crew.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59# Where you think you're going, baby
0:32:59 > 0:33:03# Hey, I just met you and this is crazy
0:33:03 > 0:33:06# But here's my number so call me maybe
0:33:06 > 0:33:08# Hey, I just met you... #
0:33:08 > 0:33:11Sad that I know the words to this, isn't it? I don't know the words.
0:33:11 > 0:33:15# But here's my number so call me maybe. #
0:33:15 > 0:33:18BEEPING
0:33:18 > 0:33:22New job. We're going to a 17-year-old gentleman
0:33:22 > 0:33:24who is short of breath and fighting for breath.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29See, I feel incomplete because we didn't manage to finish the song.
0:33:29 > 0:33:31SHE LAUGHS
0:33:31 > 0:33:33Ah, here we go.
0:33:34 > 0:33:36Hiya.
0:33:36 > 0:33:40I've been to you before. You've been to me before. Yeah.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43I'm only joking. Calm down. Let's sort Reece out.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46THEY JEER
0:33:46 > 0:33:47OK, right, stop, stop.
0:33:47 > 0:33:49Stop, stop!
0:33:49 > 0:33:52Listen, all of you, right?
0:33:52 > 0:33:54Just shut up a minute.
0:33:54 > 0:33:58Shut up a minute. Let's sort him out, yeah? Yeah?
0:33:58 > 0:34:01I said I'd go with him... Right, lovely, thank you.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04A bit of quiet. Right, Reece, what's happening, sweetheart?
0:34:04 > 0:34:05HE SHOUTS
0:34:05 > 0:34:07Reece, how much have you had to drink?
0:34:07 > 0:34:09Just a little bit. Yeah.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12So, what's happened to you tonight, then, Reece?
0:34:12 > 0:34:14I've had some shots!
0:34:15 > 0:34:17He's all right now.
0:34:19 > 0:34:21Yeah.
0:34:21 > 0:34:23Have we just been drinking, or...?
0:34:23 > 0:34:25Just been drinking, yeah?
0:34:26 > 0:34:28Obviously, we can't do our assessment on him,
0:34:28 > 0:34:31we can't hear what he's saying while
0:34:31 > 0:34:34everyone's going mad and shouting, yeah? Right, Reece...
0:34:34 > 0:34:37Any family or girlfriend?
0:34:37 > 0:34:39I think I've had a bit too much to drink.
0:34:39 > 0:34:41Yeah, I think you have as well.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53Sam, I think we'd be better going to the ambulance,
0:34:53 > 0:34:55getting him out of this situation.
0:34:58 > 0:35:00We'll get you down to the ambulance first...
0:35:00 > 0:35:02Sam and Connor are concerned,
0:35:02 > 0:35:04but to make a proper assessment
0:35:04 > 0:35:06they must persuade Reece to go to the ambulance.
0:35:06 > 0:35:09The problem is... The problem we've got, Reece,
0:35:09 > 0:35:13is your heart rate and your blood pressure are too high, right?
0:35:13 > 0:35:15Well, I'll sit down and do it proper now.
0:35:15 > 0:35:17Listen, you've had your chance now,
0:35:17 > 0:35:19so we're going to go to the ambulance where it's quiet and calm,
0:35:19 > 0:35:22and we're going to assess you there. I ain't going anywhere.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26While Connor and Sam negotiate with Reece,
0:35:26 > 0:35:2815 miles away, a woman is calling because
0:35:28 > 0:35:30her father is in cardiac arrest.
0:35:34 > 0:35:36It's the highest category of call.
0:35:36 > 0:35:42Two ambulance crews and a paramedic officer are immediately dispatched.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45Can you hear or feel any breathing now?
0:35:45 > 0:35:48In the control room, Karen's twin sister Julie
0:35:48 > 0:35:52must give CPR instructions over the phone.
0:35:52 > 0:35:54Right, OK. Stop screaming and listen to me.
0:35:54 > 0:35:56Listen. Kneel by his side.
0:35:56 > 0:35:59Put the heel of your hand in the centre of his chest and your other
0:35:59 > 0:36:02hand on top. Keep your arms straight and press down
0:36:02 > 0:36:06at least two inches. Don't be afraid to push too hard.
0:36:06 > 0:36:08You're doing it at a speed of
0:36:08 > 0:36:10one and two and three, one and two and three.
0:36:12 > 0:36:13Keep going.
0:36:13 > 0:36:16Don't stop. Help's being arranged, love.
0:36:16 > 0:36:18Stay on the line with me.
0:36:18 > 0:36:22Keep going, love. If he starts... Listen, listen. It's all right.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25If he starts to breathe and move normally,
0:36:25 > 0:36:27then just turn him onto his side, all right?
0:36:27 > 0:36:31About one minute, two minutes for both crews. OK.
0:36:31 > 0:36:33Keep going, love. Lock your elbows out.
0:36:33 > 0:36:35Remember, you're going down about two inches.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38One and two and three, one and two and three.
0:36:38 > 0:36:41Keep going.
0:36:41 > 0:36:42Is that the crew, love?
0:36:43 > 0:36:4712 minutes after the patient's family started CPR,
0:36:47 > 0:36:49the first ambulance has arrived.
0:36:49 > 0:36:51OK, love. Well done. Bye-bye, now.
0:36:59 > 0:37:00What a night. What a night.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05Never mind. Well done. Thank you.
0:37:09 > 0:37:11After continuing resuscitation,
0:37:11 > 0:37:15paramedics have managed to get Julie's patient's heart going.
0:37:15 > 0:37:17It is a ROSC.
0:37:17 > 0:37:19So, if you wouldn't mind telling Julie.
0:37:19 > 0:37:24The Ambulance Service calls this return of spontaneous circulation,
0:37:24 > 0:37:26or ROSC.
0:37:26 > 0:37:28Job 208. Yes?
0:37:28 > 0:37:29It was a ROSC. Oh, was it?
0:37:29 > 0:37:32Yes. Well done. That's great news.
0:37:32 > 0:37:36That's really good. Good, well done. Thank you.
0:37:37 > 0:37:39Thank you.
0:37:39 > 0:37:41Oh, that's really good.
0:37:41 > 0:37:43Oh, I'm chuffed to bits about that.
0:37:46 > 0:37:48I've earned my cup of tea tonight.
0:37:53 > 0:37:55I'm glad you sit next to me.
0:37:55 > 0:37:57I'm glad you sit next to me.
0:38:06 > 0:38:07Come on, mate. Come on.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13Connor and Sam have persuaded 17-year-old Reece
0:38:13 > 0:38:15that the party's over.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18I've got a hole in my sock!
0:38:23 > 0:38:26Right, then, Reece. What going on tonight?
0:38:26 > 0:38:28I've just had a bit too much to drink, that's all.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31He drank a whole bottle of Ciroc. A whole bottle? Yeah.
0:38:31 > 0:38:33SAM: What is Ciroc? It's like a...
0:38:33 > 0:38:37If you need to be sick, you be sick in that.
0:38:37 > 0:38:40OK. I can hack a session, mate! Dude...
0:38:40 > 0:38:43Right, if you're sick, sick in the bowl, all right?
0:38:43 > 0:38:45Can I have some gas and air? Why?
0:38:45 > 0:38:47To get HIGH.
0:38:47 > 0:38:50I think you've had enough, mate. You can't have gas and air.
0:38:50 > 0:38:51You've had enough.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54That's better. Now we're out of that situation,
0:38:54 > 0:38:55we've calmed down quite a bit.
0:38:55 > 0:38:57Reece, the problem we've got is, Reece,
0:38:57 > 0:39:00is you're 17 years old, right?
0:39:00 > 0:39:03You're pissed. Yeah?
0:39:03 > 0:39:05So, our advice is that you need to go home.
0:39:05 > 0:39:08Well, I'm sure I'm just going to go to sleep when I get up there.
0:39:08 > 0:39:11CONNOR: Really? Yeah. Because I believe that.
0:39:11 > 0:39:13We're all back down to normal again now.
0:39:13 > 0:39:16Get back on the session!
0:39:16 > 0:39:18Let's do your temperature. What's going on?
0:39:18 > 0:39:21I'm taking his temperature at the moment, mate.
0:39:21 > 0:39:22Are you going to hospital or what?
0:39:22 > 0:39:24Nah, I'm coming back in for the sesh.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27Whoa! I'm taking your temperature!
0:39:27 > 0:39:31Ah! Oh, Jesus Christ! How old are you?
0:39:31 > 0:39:33That hurt my ear, that one did.
0:39:36 > 0:39:41VOICE-OVER: It's hard when you are with someone that is intoxicated,
0:39:41 > 0:39:43because at that moment in time, you've got a duty of care to that
0:39:43 > 0:39:46individual who's called you because they're intoxicated,
0:39:46 > 0:39:51and you can't leave that individual until you know that they're safe.
0:39:51 > 0:39:53Ooh! Hang on!
0:39:53 > 0:39:56You didn't tell me you were doing that! I did!
0:39:56 > 0:39:59Maybe you should listen a bit. REECE LAUGHS
0:39:59 > 0:40:01Try listening.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04You've got to be so careful that you don't get stuck in this mentality
0:40:04 > 0:40:08of, "I'm only here to deal with the cardiac arrests, the RTCs,
0:40:08 > 0:40:10"the people that are on death's door."
0:40:10 > 0:40:13Yeah, that's a part of the job that we do,
0:40:13 > 0:40:16but the job is completely different now.
0:40:16 > 0:40:19This whole social side, it's the world live in now.
0:40:19 > 0:40:21That's what we deal with.
0:40:21 > 0:40:25After checking Reece over, Connor and Sam are satisfied
0:40:25 > 0:40:27there's nothing medically wrong with him.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30They leave him in the care of his 18-year-old friend.
0:40:30 > 0:40:32You can't go out that door. You've got to go out the side door.
0:40:32 > 0:40:37I'm all right, mate. Thanks for coming. Yes, boss, man! My dog.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40Watch your step, now. I respect you for that, you know?
0:40:40 > 0:40:41I'm so sorry.
0:40:43 > 0:40:44Take care.
0:40:49 > 0:40:53Across Britain, paramedics spend more than a third of their time
0:40:53 > 0:40:56dealing with alcohol-related incidents.
0:40:58 > 0:41:00All right, Baz. Morning, mate.
0:41:00 > 0:41:05Lots of drunks and overdoses... Friday night.
0:41:05 > 0:41:07Everybody's on that needs to be. OK.
0:41:07 > 0:41:10And there's no obvious problems, no mixed crews or anything, so...
0:41:10 > 0:41:11Excellent.
0:41:11 > 0:41:12Bye. Have a good one.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24The following evening, Connor and Sam are back on
0:41:24 > 0:41:26for another 12-hour night shift.
0:41:28 > 0:41:31Hello? Hiya.
0:41:31 > 0:41:35Their first call is to 81-year-old Thelma, who's fallen at home.
0:41:35 > 0:41:37So, what's happened today, then?
0:41:37 > 0:41:41Well, what happened was, I was going in the bathroom, had my wash...
0:41:41 > 0:41:46OK. ..turned round to come through that door
0:41:46 > 0:41:49and as I came through, I just... My legs just went.
0:41:49 > 0:41:51Your legs went? OK. Yeah.
0:41:51 > 0:41:55And I landed on my bottom, really. Right. But there's nothing...
0:41:56 > 0:41:58Not hurting anywhere? ..hurting.
0:41:58 > 0:42:00Can I have a little feel of your wrist
0:42:00 > 0:42:02while we're having a chat, sweetie?
0:42:02 > 0:42:04Did you go funny in your head at all? No.
0:42:04 > 0:42:05Or did you just feel like your legs
0:42:05 > 0:42:07just went out from underneath you? Yeah. OK.
0:42:07 > 0:42:10And you didn't hit your head when you fell over? No.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13One, two, three.
0:42:13 > 0:42:14Ooh, me knee.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16SHE GROANS
0:42:16 > 0:42:18You did that all by yourself.
0:42:18 > 0:42:19That's it.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22You just get your balance. OK. Don't lose me.
0:42:22 > 0:42:24We're not going to lose you, don't worry.
0:42:24 > 0:42:25I want to sit down somewhere. We will.
0:42:25 > 0:42:29We're going to get you sat down on that bed.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32That's it. And do a little turn. Turn and face me.
0:42:34 > 0:42:37Is that your frame just there, just behind you?
0:42:38 > 0:42:41I bet you've got a girlfriend. I have, I've got a fiancee.
0:42:41 > 0:42:44Oh, fiancee. I have. Very posh.
0:42:44 > 0:42:46Very posh? We're getting married this year.
0:42:49 > 0:42:53That's it. Is that better? That's better. There we go.
0:42:53 > 0:42:55Like I say, if you need us, call us back.
0:42:55 > 0:42:58He's a nice little boy, isn't he? Lovely, isn't he? He's beautiful.
0:42:58 > 0:43:00I'll smack his arse.
0:43:00 > 0:43:02THEY LAUGH
0:43:02 > 0:43:05You'll make me go red, Thelma.
0:43:05 > 0:43:08You be a good boy. I will be, I will be.
0:43:08 > 0:43:10Take care, Thelma.
0:43:21 > 0:43:24Ambulance Service. Is the patient breathing?
0:43:25 > 0:43:27Is the patient conscious?
0:43:29 > 0:43:33OK. And is it possible to speak to the patient directly?
0:43:35 > 0:43:37Is it a cardiac nature, or...?
0:43:51 > 0:43:53"Stabbing and twisting pains worsening,
0:43:53 > 0:43:55"chest and back pain, short of breath, cancer patient."
0:44:10 > 0:44:12Morning. Hello.
0:44:14 > 0:44:16What's happening with you, then, this evening?
0:44:16 > 0:44:19OK. I've got...
0:44:19 > 0:44:21I've got the full English breakfast of cancers.
0:44:21 > 0:44:24The full English breakfast? The full English breakfast, so... Go for it.
0:44:24 > 0:44:27Bowel, liver, spine...
0:44:27 > 0:44:28Yeah. I've missed one.
0:44:28 > 0:44:30..bone.
0:44:30 > 0:44:33The other thing was that, the cancer was...
0:44:33 > 0:44:36I was given under 12 months. I've made ten.
0:44:38 > 0:44:40Do you want to...?
0:44:42 > 0:44:44You grab onto me, sweetheart.
0:44:44 > 0:44:46That's it. Do you want a bit of gas and air to try?
0:44:46 > 0:44:49Oh, I don't know. Fucking hell... Sorry.
0:44:49 > 0:44:52You swear as much as you want. This is it, this is where the...
0:44:53 > 0:44:54No?
0:44:56 > 0:44:58As soon as you move, the knives are in.
0:44:58 > 0:45:01OK. Just try and relax. And...
0:45:01 > 0:45:02It was yesterday...
0:45:02 > 0:45:05I've never realised what it's like not to breathe.
0:45:05 > 0:45:08So, you're trying to breathe in...
0:45:08 > 0:45:12But the more you're breathing in, the more it's hurting.
0:45:12 > 0:45:15So, is it actually...? The more you shallow it...
0:45:15 > 0:45:18And this is where... I'm glad you're seeing it now.
0:45:18 > 0:45:20Trust me, you are breathing... Oh, I know I'm breathing.
0:45:20 > 0:45:22..which is good.
0:45:22 > 0:45:24So, shall we do a few checks on you, then?
0:45:24 > 0:45:27The usual stuff, and then we'll go from there.
0:45:28 > 0:45:3038.4.
0:45:30 > 0:45:34Temperature's fine. No, it's high. That's high. Oh, is it? Yeah.
0:45:34 > 0:45:3738.4.
0:45:37 > 0:45:41You've got a slight temperature, your heart rate's slightly raised,
0:45:41 > 0:45:44so you might have a bit of an infection going on.
0:45:44 > 0:45:47Good news is, you get to spend a bit more time with me.
0:45:47 > 0:45:49A trip to the hospital.
0:45:49 > 0:45:51A trip to the hospital, I'm afraid.
0:45:51 > 0:45:53Sorry. We're going to pop him up the hospital.
0:45:53 > 0:45:56I thought that was going to happen. Yeah. I'm afraid so.
0:45:56 > 0:45:57A bit of a temperature.
0:45:57 > 0:45:59And with everything else that's going on,
0:45:59 > 0:46:01and obviously, with the pain relief, get the pain under control,
0:46:01 > 0:46:04get this query infection under control and...
0:46:04 > 0:46:07We haven't tried the trumpet yet, have we, love?
0:46:07 > 0:46:10He's got an air horn in there, so when he needs me,
0:46:10 > 0:46:12I have to come running, you see? Is that to get your attention?
0:46:12 > 0:46:14A friend thought it was a good idea.
0:46:14 > 0:46:17Just bear in mind it is quarter past one. Ready?
0:46:17 > 0:46:19AIR HORN BLARES
0:46:19 > 0:46:22LAUGHTER
0:46:22 > 0:46:26I bet your neighbours love you, don't they?
0:46:26 > 0:46:28Thank you.
0:46:28 > 0:46:32Nige, do you want me to let the boys know?
0:46:32 > 0:46:34I don't know what difference it will make, love.
0:46:34 > 0:46:36No. Why disturb their night's sleep?
0:46:38 > 0:46:41Bolt upright, or...?
0:46:41 > 0:46:43Basically, do what we tell you to do.
0:46:43 > 0:46:44INDISTINCT
0:46:44 > 0:46:46THEY LAUGH
0:46:46 > 0:46:48I'll set Sam on you.
0:46:48 > 0:46:50She'll have you if you don't listen to her.
0:46:52 > 0:46:56Anyone would think my driving's bad with all these straps on you.
0:46:56 > 0:47:00It's like a racing harness, this is. You want to see me go.
0:47:00 > 0:47:03Well, I ride motorbikes, and I also ride...
0:47:03 > 0:47:06I also ride for blood bikes as well, so... Do you?
0:47:06 > 0:47:10Yeah. We like... I like my bikes. Oh, do you do blood bikes? Yeah.
0:47:10 > 0:47:12See, I've always wanted to ride a bike,
0:47:12 > 0:47:16and I've said that if I ever did, I'd want a Bonneville Triumph.
0:47:16 > 0:47:19Oh, my God. Right, so you're going back classic, then? Yeah.
0:47:19 > 0:47:21Shall we get going?
0:47:21 > 0:47:24She starts misbehaving on the way in, you give me a shout, Nige.
0:47:24 > 0:47:25No, I won't be telling you, don't worry.
0:47:25 > 0:47:26I don't think you would.
0:47:32 > 0:47:34So, how many children have you got?
0:47:34 > 0:47:35Well, I come from Southampton,
0:47:35 > 0:47:40so I've got two daughters down on the south coast.
0:47:40 > 0:47:43And then I've got two boys up here. Yeah.
0:47:43 > 0:47:46And Oliver, my oldest boy, he gets married
0:47:46 > 0:47:48at the beginning of July,
0:47:48 > 0:47:53and Nick is going to have my other grandson at the beginning of July,
0:47:53 > 0:47:56so... So exciting. Oh, it is so exciting.
0:47:58 > 0:47:59I just want to make it.
0:48:01 > 0:48:03I just want to make it.
0:48:05 > 0:48:06One thing that...
0:48:08 > 0:48:10It might sound strange to you,
0:48:10 > 0:48:14but the one benefit I've found from having cancer
0:48:14 > 0:48:20is that we, Karen and I, have managed to get our life...
0:48:20 > 0:48:22BEEPING
0:48:22 > 0:48:24So, our insurances have paid out.
0:48:24 > 0:48:27Both boys, we're in the process of buying their houses,
0:48:27 > 0:48:28stuff like that.
0:48:28 > 0:48:31So, I can actually possibly lay here,
0:48:31 > 0:48:35and I have done quite a few times, and say I'm quite happy.
0:48:35 > 0:48:38It sounds awful, doesn't it? No, not at all. It sounds awful.
0:48:38 > 0:48:40Why does it? It just does.
0:48:40 > 0:48:44You know, I'm lying here happy, thinking...
0:48:44 > 0:48:46I don't want to die, obviously,
0:48:46 > 0:48:50but just the fact that you can help your kids out.
0:48:50 > 0:48:52That's the gold in life, isn't it? That is the gold in life.
0:48:54 > 0:48:57Every cloud... Every cloud.
0:48:57 > 0:49:00Reality's starting to hit now, though.
0:49:00 > 0:49:02That's the worst part of it.
0:49:10 > 0:49:12I think we see the best in people.
0:49:14 > 0:49:17I don't know where people get this inner strength from.
0:49:25 > 0:49:29Are you going to hold these on your lap? Yep. Is that OK?
0:49:29 > 0:49:32Was that a comfortable position, then? That was cracking.
0:49:32 > 0:49:35Was it? We don't want to move you now.
0:49:35 > 0:49:36I don't particularly want to move now.
0:49:36 > 0:49:39Shall we just keep you on for the rest of the shift? Yeah.
0:49:41 > 0:49:44I don't think you know until you get put in a situation
0:49:44 > 0:49:47where you have to be strong,
0:49:47 > 0:49:50you don't really know how strong you are.
0:49:50 > 0:49:52Right, then, let's get you sorted out.
0:49:57 > 0:49:59Can we just pass them to you?
0:49:59 > 0:50:01You're going to roll towards me.
0:50:01 > 0:50:03OK. I'm glad we... I know.
0:50:03 > 0:50:05Stay relaxed. You've wanted that cuddle
0:50:05 > 0:50:08ever since I arrived, haven't you? I just want to touch your tats.
0:50:08 > 0:50:11You do. Feel free.
0:50:11 > 0:50:12I'm glad you said tats then.
0:50:12 > 0:50:14Honestly, Nigel. OK.
0:50:16 > 0:50:19Ready, steady, slide.
0:50:25 > 0:50:26Cancer.
0:50:28 > 0:50:31OK, can we get him booked in? Yeah. I'll get it sorted.
0:50:31 > 0:50:34All right, then, Nige. Look after yourself. Thank you, folks.
0:50:34 > 0:50:37All the best, buddy, OK? Thank you very much. Take care.
0:50:39 > 0:50:42It's always hard when you see someone
0:50:42 > 0:50:44that you know may not survive.
0:50:46 > 0:50:48How you deal with it, you know...
0:50:50 > 0:50:53It's quite an internal thing.
0:50:53 > 0:50:55Like anything, you relate it to your personal experience in life,
0:50:55 > 0:50:56don't you?
0:50:59 > 0:51:03My fiancee got diagnosed with cervical cancer when she was 24.
0:51:05 > 0:51:08She's been battling that for quite a while.
0:51:08 > 0:51:11When she was about 26, her bowel perforated
0:51:11 > 0:51:13and she had to have emergency surgery for that.
0:51:15 > 0:51:18Since then, they've said everything's stable
0:51:18 > 0:51:20and they've classed her as being in remission.
0:51:22 > 0:51:24But there's always that thought in the back of my mind
0:51:24 > 0:51:28that, you know, maybe one day it will come back.
0:51:29 > 0:51:31I don't know if I've come to terms with that yet.
0:51:37 > 0:51:40Mate. Come here, mate. Come here.
0:51:45 > 0:51:49It's not something that I talk about.
0:51:49 > 0:51:51I just bottle it up.
0:51:52 > 0:51:54It's just easier that way.
0:51:56 > 0:51:58A lot easier.
0:51:59 > 0:52:02It's not though, is it, in the long run?
0:52:02 > 0:52:04It may never happen. It may be fine.
0:52:04 > 0:52:07But I worry about stupid things.
0:52:10 > 0:52:11Selfish things.
0:52:16 > 0:52:19I get upset about how I'm going to cope if she does go.
0:52:20 > 0:52:24It's selfish, because it's not me. Why is that selfish?
0:52:24 > 0:52:27Because I'm not the one that's going through it.
0:52:29 > 0:52:32Well, you are. You're going through it together, though, aren't you?
0:52:32 > 0:52:34She's so strong when she goes through it.
0:52:37 > 0:52:40I just... I can't, mate. I just struggle.
0:52:43 > 0:52:46You look at him, and you just think he's...
0:52:46 > 0:52:48He's just amazing, isn't he?
0:52:48 > 0:52:50How can he go through all that and still be so...
0:52:52 > 0:52:54..have such a good outlook?
0:52:54 > 0:52:58It's... Exactly, yeah. That's why you talk about it.
0:52:58 > 0:53:02I think it upsets the relatives and the family more than
0:53:02 > 0:53:06it upsets the individuals going through it a lot of the time
0:53:06 > 0:53:08because they can...
0:53:08 > 0:53:10They accept that it's going to happen to them,
0:53:10 > 0:53:14but it's everyone around that can't accept it.
0:53:14 > 0:53:17Well, in my case, anyway.
0:53:17 > 0:53:19I need a cup of tea. I do, too.
0:53:19 > 0:53:22Really need a cup of tea after that.
0:53:22 > 0:53:25All right. Let's do it. Off to the next one.
0:53:30 > 0:53:33You driving or am I driving? It's up to you. You'll drive.
0:53:33 > 0:53:35Where have I put the keys? I don't know.
0:53:36 > 0:53:38Are they in there? Right.
0:53:39 > 0:53:41Shake it off.
0:53:42 > 0:53:44Let's do it. Let's go.
0:53:58 > 0:54:01Mick and Dave have returned to Royal Stoke Hospital
0:54:01 > 0:54:04where they brought Denise after her heart attack.
0:54:04 > 0:54:06A colleague has news.
0:54:06 > 0:54:09I spoke to Kath in critical care. Yeah?
0:54:09 > 0:54:12Unfortunately, she passed away in critical care.
0:54:12 > 0:54:15No. Yeah. Oh, shit.
0:54:18 > 0:54:19Shit.
0:54:19 > 0:54:22And I don't care if I'm swearing.
0:54:24 > 0:54:27Her husband... John, weren't it? Oh, Christ.
0:54:27 > 0:54:30He won't be...
0:54:30 > 0:54:31A lovely, lovely guy.
0:54:37 > 0:54:39Cheers, Stu. Cheers. All right.
0:54:45 > 0:54:48Shit. It has upset me.
0:54:48 > 0:54:49You what?
0:54:49 > 0:54:52It has upset me.
0:54:52 > 0:54:53Yeah.
0:54:53 > 0:54:57# Later here this morning... #
0:54:57 > 0:54:59Oh, shit.
0:54:59 > 0:55:04# If the crowds hold back the rain
0:55:05 > 0:55:12# I'll declare my intent to race again. #
0:55:13 > 0:55:17You do feel some jobs more than others.
0:55:17 > 0:55:21You empathise with people's pain, if you like.
0:55:23 > 0:55:27But the job doesn't get me down.
0:55:27 > 0:55:31It's a privilege to be able to help people in their hour of need.
0:55:33 > 0:55:36I like to be useful,
0:55:36 > 0:55:40and it gets me out the house.
0:55:42 > 0:55:50# And I've got nothing on the inside left to charm
0:55:50 > 0:55:53# Just look at me
0:55:53 > 0:56:00# And I've got nothing to live up to
0:56:00 > 0:56:05# And nothing to reveal
0:56:06 > 0:56:11# Go on, run for me
0:56:12 > 0:56:16# Go on, run for me
0:56:19 > 0:56:22# Go on, run for me
0:56:22 > 0:56:26# Because I can't take it back
0:56:26 > 0:56:29# Gone the summer
0:56:29 > 0:56:32# Gone the past
0:56:32 > 0:56:35# Now it's done
0:56:38 > 0:56:40# Now it's done. #
0:56:45 > 0:56:47Next on Ambulance...
0:56:47 > 0:56:49Oh, God.
0:56:49 > 0:56:51Oh, shit. Oh, my God.
0:56:51 > 0:56:54What was he doing? Two ambulances, please, if possible.
0:57:26 > 0:57:27I'm Nigel.
0:57:27 > 0:57:30I believe your husband called us about a valuation on your prop...
0:57:30 > 0:57:33When I get an opportunity, I look for a way to get my son back
0:57:33 > 0:57:35and remove her from my life.
0:57:35 > 0:57:38How's your son? Fine, I think.
0:57:38 > 0:57:39I'm winning.