0:00:02 > 0:00:04'Ambulance service, what's happened?
0:00:04 > 0:00:05'It's my husband,
0:00:05 > 0:00:07- 'I can't wake him.- Just confirm for me, is he awake?
0:00:07 > 0:00:10'He's comatose. I'm trying to feel a pulse, but I can't...
0:00:10 > 0:00:13'Right, can't find his pulse.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15'He's on the floor, he's unresponsive.'
0:00:17 > 0:00:18'Cardiac arrest.'
0:00:20 > 0:00:22A call to a cardiac arrest -
0:00:22 > 0:00:25the paramedics have just eight minutes to get to the scene...
0:00:28 > 0:00:31..and just 12 minutes to save the patient's life.
0:00:31 > 0:00:35- Do you want to do another pulse check, just before we move him?- Yes.
0:00:35 > 0:00:39It's a scenario that can test the most experienced paramedic.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45But what if you're a first-year student
0:00:45 > 0:00:47and you're new on the job?
0:00:50 > 0:00:53Meet the junior paramedics.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55Does this make me look vain?
0:00:55 > 0:00:58It is quite scary and daunting. I am only 19.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01Have you got little ticklish feet?
0:01:01 > 0:01:04Whenever we go to a really serious job like a cardiac arrest,
0:01:04 > 0:01:05I will have to get involved.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09'You feel like you're doing something that means something'
0:01:09 > 0:01:11and it's making a difference.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13Flying around with the blue lights on,
0:01:13 > 0:01:15that'll be good! I'm not going to lie!
0:01:19 > 0:01:22Let's go do some shots!
0:01:22 > 0:01:24The shifts are going to be hard to get used to. I hate mornings.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26I'm not a morning person at all.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30All of the paramedics I've spoken to have said that there will
0:01:30 > 0:01:33always be one thing, when you get there, you don't know why,
0:01:33 > 0:01:35but it affects you really badly.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38You've got to be prepared to go in someone's house
0:01:38 > 0:01:40and not be scared of the outcome.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44I'm definitely quite worried, dealing with my first fatal,
0:01:44 > 0:01:47or the first body that I come to.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50Being a paramedic's my dream. It's something that I've always wanted.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54Studying for a degree in Paramedic Science is tough.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57Failure's not an option.
0:01:59 > 0:02:01Six weeks of dealing with real people
0:02:01 > 0:02:04in real emergencies is even tougher...
0:02:04 > 0:02:10Five hours to go and I'm yawning all the time, and I'm shattered already.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12..and over halfway through their placement,
0:02:12 > 0:02:14it doesn't get any easier.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17All right, Chris? What's wrong? Talk to us.
0:02:17 > 0:02:18'I thought, "Oh, my God,'
0:02:18 > 0:02:21- "this is horrendous."- They're young,
0:02:21 > 0:02:23- they're inexperienced...- Oh, my God!
0:02:23 > 0:02:26..and every day is a matter of life or death.
0:02:26 > 0:02:31- I was like, "Agh!" Adrenaline. - For these student paramedics,
0:02:31 > 0:02:34it's make or break on the emergency front line.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36Do you know how to open it? Stop!
0:02:44 > 0:02:46Previously, on Junior Paramedics...
0:02:47 > 0:02:53If I get fleas, I'll be severely...
0:02:54 > 0:02:56Yeah, just don't move.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02..Max proved he could perform under pressure at a serious road accident.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06Just going to feel your stomach, Mick.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08'I did play a big part in that crash. I wasn't just'
0:03:08 > 0:03:10standing by and watching everybody do everything.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12Mick, this is going to be uncomfortable.
0:03:12 > 0:03:13'I was like, "This is really cool,'
0:03:13 > 0:03:15"it's really exciting."
0:03:18 > 0:03:21Amy realised how vulnerable you can be as a paramedic
0:03:21 > 0:03:25when she was called out to a patient behaving erratically.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29- He was about to kick off, that guy. - Do you think?- He was, definitely.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31'It was the first situation'
0:03:31 > 0:03:35when I actually genuinely really shit my pants.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38- Is it painful all across your chest? - Yeah.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41And Vicky jumped to the wrong conclusion
0:03:41 > 0:03:43when she was asked to diagnose a patient.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46- A chest pain? I think it's more shoulder pain.- Oh.
0:03:46 > 0:03:50- What do you think?- Don't know.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53'I have learnt from it,'
0:03:53 > 0:03:55you just feel a bit of a tool at the time.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04The junior paramedics are four weeks into
0:04:04 > 0:04:06their first ever six-week placement.
0:04:06 > 0:04:10They're not the new kids on the block any more...
0:04:10 > 0:04:12You're learning, girl, you're learning.
0:04:12 > 0:04:18- ..and are fast becoming part of the team.- High-five, Bryn! Ow!
0:04:18 > 0:04:21They're still the butt of jokes...
0:04:36 > 0:04:39..and they're starting to learn it's this sense of humour
0:04:39 > 0:04:42that keeps the paramedics sane when the job gets tough.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49It's a full moon tonight. Paramedics don't like a full moon.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54There is an increase in call volume on full moons.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58- That's just what we were told. - With a full moon, you always get
0:04:58 > 0:05:00the weird and the wonderful out.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07It is a Saturday night, so it could be a bit busy.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22The myth is that it sort of changed the moods.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24- Paramedic myths?- Yeah.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31Tonight, the junior paramedics are working late shifts
0:05:31 > 0:05:34and will find out for themselves
0:05:34 > 0:05:37whether a full moon means calm or chaos.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41Hello, can we have your attendance, please?
0:05:41 > 0:05:43Yes. Tell me exactly what's happened.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47At Corby Ambulance Station, Steph's at the end of her night shift
0:05:47 > 0:05:51when she gets a call that would test even an experienced paramedic.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01Reports are coming through
0:06:01 > 0:06:03that there's a lot of police at the scene...
0:06:08 > 0:06:10..and it's making this 18-year-old trainee,
0:06:10 > 0:06:14who's been on the job for just four weeks, nervous.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23Oh, this is a big job.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28Three police cars, a fire engine...
0:06:28 > 0:06:32Is that riot police and a dog?
0:06:32 > 0:06:36DOG BARKS
0:06:42 > 0:06:43Okey-dokey.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46The paramedic on scene hands over to Steph and Sam -
0:06:46 > 0:06:48and briefs them on the patient's injuries.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51He's got three lacerations that I've seen.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58We turned up and there was, like, fire engines
0:06:58 > 0:07:01and 14 armed officers surrounding him.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03I was just terrified!
0:07:07 > 0:07:10You go up there. Go and get yourself sorted on there, mate.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14Let's get your bum right up here.
0:07:14 > 0:07:15That's it. Feet up.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19The police were initially concerned about
0:07:19 > 0:07:21the man's disturbing behaviour,
0:07:21 > 0:07:25but now, as he's treated in the ambulance, he's calmed down.
0:07:25 > 0:07:26'I was like, there is no way'
0:07:26 > 0:07:29anyone is putting me in a small, confined space
0:07:29 > 0:07:30with someone who's just been arrested.
0:07:30 > 0:07:3441/101 was his blood pressure.
0:07:34 > 0:07:35Throughout her placement,
0:07:35 > 0:07:39Steph relies on her mentor, Sam, to show her the way.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42But even though Sam's been a paramedic for more than two years,
0:07:42 > 0:07:45she has never been to a job quite like this one either.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47Right, have you got any lacerations
0:07:47 > 0:07:49anywhere else, or is it just your arms?
0:07:49 > 0:07:51Your neck. Let's have a look at this,
0:07:51 > 0:07:53then we'll clean your neck up.
0:07:53 > 0:07:59Can we get some irri-pods and some swabs?
0:08:04 > 0:08:06- Another one?- What caused these?
0:08:08 > 0:08:11Stanley knife. Did you do it to yourself?
0:08:15 > 0:08:20The police assess the scene and an armed officer stands guard
0:08:20 > 0:08:23so Steph and Sam can concentrate on the patient.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25We need a full set of obs on him.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27- Do you want me to start that now? - Yeah.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32I'm just going to put this round your arm. Yeah?
0:08:32 > 0:08:35Just lift this arm up for me a touch.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37That's it. Perfect...
0:08:37 > 0:08:40'I knew it was full-on and I knew I was going to be
0:08:40 > 0:08:43'thrown in at the deep end, but you go to some jobs where'
0:08:43 > 0:08:45it takes your breath away a bit and you're like,
0:08:45 > 0:08:47"Oh, I don't know what to do!"
0:08:48 > 0:08:50Despite the tension of the situation,
0:08:50 > 0:08:56Steph manages to keep calm and remember what she's learnt so far.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58Do you mind if I just do a little blood test on your finger?
0:08:58 > 0:09:00That's OK, is it, yeah?
0:09:06 > 0:09:09The voices have stopped. You just keep talking to me.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15'We're not supposed to be judgmental of people,
0:09:15 > 0:09:17'but you do let your imagination... You look at him and think,'
0:09:17 > 0:09:20"Oh, my God, he's going to get me!"
0:09:20 > 0:09:23And he was just lovely, really.
0:09:26 > 0:09:27Are you ready?
0:09:33 > 0:09:35The pressure's still on for Steph.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39She has the responsibility of handing the patient over
0:09:39 > 0:09:40to A&E staff.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45Hand-overs are always a tricky thing for junior paramedics to master,
0:09:45 > 0:09:49but with the patient in handcuffs and under police custody,
0:09:49 > 0:09:52it's not a situation that could ever be taught in the classroom.
0:09:54 > 0:09:56He's been self-harming and he's got
0:09:56 > 0:10:00self-harm cuts on the left side of his neck and on his wrists
0:10:00 > 0:10:03that are quite deep. His breathing's quite shallow, also.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06Most of his observations are fairly normal,
0:10:06 > 0:10:10but he was hypothermic when we got him, so we had to warm him up.
0:10:10 > 0:10:15He's fairly responsive, but he's had a lot of alcohol.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18Having nailed the hand-over, Steph can't quite believe
0:10:18 > 0:10:21what she's just experienced!
0:10:21 > 0:10:24That was quite interesting. I felt a little bit nervous at first.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27I was kind of glad that the police officer was in there.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30The thing is, he was quite, like, pleasant, weren't he?
0:10:30 > 0:10:32Yeah, he was to us. He'd calmed down though.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34Sometimes, you look at situations and think,
0:10:34 > 0:10:37"Yeah, I'm running in the other direction."
0:10:37 > 0:10:39But if you want to be a paramedic, they're the jobs that
0:10:39 > 0:10:43you realise that you actually love them.
0:10:43 > 0:10:47They're more interesting, It's the point of being a paramedic,
0:10:47 > 0:10:50you're supposed to help them and patch up where it's bleeding.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54You're actually helping someone, they need you.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57Still on high alert, Steph heads home to wind down
0:10:57 > 0:11:00after a challenging night shift.
0:11:02 > 0:11:06But later that day, when 20-year-old Lucy Mellor
0:11:06 > 0:11:11starts her night shift in Leicester, there's a very different vibe.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13There was a good article in the Leicester Mercury,
0:11:13 > 0:11:16with a picture of the first ever paramedics
0:11:16 > 0:11:19- to be trained as paramedics.- Really?
0:11:19 > 0:11:24- Yeah. In the- '80s. There was only paramedics in the '80s?
0:11:24 > 0:11:27- Hmm?- That was the first paramedics, in the- '80s? '80s, yes.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31Really? I thought it would have been absolutely hundreds of years ago.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34No. Obviously, there's always been an ambulance service,
0:11:34 > 0:11:37- but before that, it was like scoop and run.- Scoop and run!
0:11:37 > 0:11:38It was, yes. Pick up and run.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41- Just get them straight to hospital...- Yes.
0:11:41 > 0:11:43I never realised that.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47Now paramedics study for two years,
0:11:47 > 0:11:51but lots of the skills they need still come on the job
0:11:51 > 0:11:53and Alistair wants to make sure
0:11:53 > 0:11:55that Lucy gets the most out of her placement.
0:11:55 > 0:12:00So have you been practising your consultation, your history taking?
0:12:00 > 0:12:04- Yeah, I've had a look over it. - A look over it?- Yes.- Yes.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08Have you been practising in the mirror?
0:12:08 > 0:12:10THEY LAUGH
0:12:10 > 0:12:13'Alistair is really laid-back and he kind of puts me at ease.'
0:12:13 > 0:12:17When I'm doing things that maybe I'll be a bit nervous about
0:12:17 > 0:12:20or not used to doing, I don't feel on edge, like I'm being
0:12:20 > 0:12:22kind of watched and it's all strict, and things like that,
0:12:22 > 0:12:24he's very chilled out, and he'll help me.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30It's 3am, and Lucy and her mentor, Alistair,
0:12:30 > 0:12:34are racing to a man with severe stomach pains.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50When they get there, Alistair is keen for Lucy to push herself
0:12:50 > 0:12:53and take the patient's medical history.
0:12:56 > 0:12:57Hi, there.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01She finds him writhing around on the floor in agony
0:13:01 > 0:13:04and she quickly needs to establish what's wrong...
0:13:04 > 0:13:08He's been struggling. The past three days, he's been absolutely in pain
0:13:08 > 0:13:12and he's struggling to walk. I've given him codeine, paracetamol.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15..but his distressed wife bombards her with information.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18And it's got worse. I told him to sleep it off and wait till 8am
0:13:18 > 0:13:21so we can call the doctor then, but he couldn't wait,
0:13:21 > 0:13:26- so it got so severe, I had to call the ambulance, like, now.- OK.
0:13:28 > 0:13:29I don't really know what to say.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32'He was like, "Are you going to take the lead?"
0:13:32 > 0:13:33'I was like, "Yeah, that's fine."
0:13:33 > 0:13:37'Then we went in and his wife obviously gave all these details'
0:13:37 > 0:13:41and I was a bit like, "I don't know what else there is to ask."
0:13:41 > 0:13:45'And obviously, the patient wasn't really in a fit state
0:13:45 > 0:13:49'to be having a normal conversation about things,'
0:13:49 > 0:13:54so Alistair took the lead and he showed me how it was done.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56So when did the pain start, then?
0:13:57 > 0:13:59And where is the pain exactly?
0:14:04 > 0:14:06Would you be better off on the sofa, do you think?
0:14:08 > 0:14:10If we ask you to score the pain between zero and ten,
0:14:10 > 0:14:15if zero is no pain and ten was the worst you've ever had...
0:14:19 > 0:14:22We'll get you some Entonox, gas and air.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24- Do you want to...?- Yes.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27Alistair tries to get Lucy involved again.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30- Twist it towards the plus sign? - Yeah.
0:14:32 > 0:14:34Try and take some of this pain relief.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38We need to pop this in your mouth. That's it.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41Have you been for a wee recently?
0:14:41 > 0:14:45- Did it sting or burn?- He did say there's been a lot of blood
0:14:45 > 0:14:47coming out from his bottom as well
0:14:47 > 0:14:49- when he goes to the toilet. - Right, OK.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52- Just red blood, do you know?- Yes.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56Have you had blood coming out of your bottom before?
0:14:58 > 0:15:01He's got quite bad diarrhoea. I don't know if that's the cause of
0:15:01 > 0:15:04- his discomfort in his stomach.- Mm.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06It could be, but it wouldn't normally cause this much pain.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13Obviously difficult to know exactly what is causing the pain,
0:15:13 > 0:15:16but if we can, we'll try and do some observations.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19Do you want me to try and do a blood pressure?
0:15:19 > 0:15:21Yeah. You're going to struggle.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25Can I just pop this onto your arm, so I can get a blood pressure?
0:15:25 > 0:15:29Just stay there, you don't need to move.
0:15:29 > 0:15:30Just take the gas and air.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34The man can't keep still enough
0:15:34 > 0:15:36for her to take his observations properly.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44OK, I'll take this off. Breathe the gas and air.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47If he's in this much pain, we're probably going to have to pop him
0:15:47 > 0:15:52down to the hospital. We're in the car, so we'll get another crew.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00As they wait for the ambulance,
0:16:00 > 0:16:03Alistair tries to make the man more comfortable.
0:16:03 > 0:16:04Have you had morphine before?
0:16:06 > 0:16:09We are just going to pop a little needle in your arm, OK?
0:16:09 > 0:16:12Because Lucy is a student and morphine is a controlled drug,
0:16:12 > 0:16:16she's not yet qualified to administer it herself.
0:16:16 > 0:16:20You need to keep really still for a minute, while we do this.
0:16:20 > 0:16:21That's it, straight in.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27There we go, just given you a bit of morphine, all right?
0:16:27 > 0:16:30It will take a few minutes to kick in.
0:16:36 > 0:16:41When the ambulance crew arrive on scene, Lucy stands back
0:16:41 > 0:16:44and lets Alistair do the hand-over.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47Not really had chance to do much. He's been writhing around, really.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03Sit down. Have you got the chair there? There you are.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05Take some deep breaths.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12- Concentrate.- 'Definitely still a huge amount to learn.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14'Next time, next time, when it's'
0:17:14 > 0:17:19a little bit less time critical, hopefully, I'll have a go.
0:17:22 > 0:17:26- I thought it went really well! - Oh, good. Fantastic.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29I think it was a really brilliant effort on my part!
0:17:29 > 0:17:31Yeah, a real structured approach.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34- I mean, I think I did it all, pretty much.- You did, yes.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36Because we went in and she kind of told us everything,
0:17:36 > 0:17:37and it kind of threw me off a bit.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41I was like, I was ready with my signs and symptoms and my allergies
0:17:41 > 0:17:42and she told me them all.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45I was like, "I don't know what else to ask!"
0:17:45 > 0:17:47In that situation, there is not a lot of...
0:17:47 > 0:17:50It's just a matter of controlling the pain.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52It's pointless trying to get observations, really.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56You can see airway and breathing is fine. He's a good colour,
0:17:56 > 0:18:01In that respect, you know, you need to get on top of the pain.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04And now he's quite calm, now we can do some observations.
0:18:04 > 0:18:09- Yes, now you can go to the start again.- Yes. Exactly, yes.
0:18:09 > 0:18:13- Shut the door, it's cold.- The patient spent two days in hospital,
0:18:13 > 0:18:16but doctors were unable to find the cause of his pain.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18He's had no similar attacks since.
0:18:24 > 0:18:26On shift, the junior paramedics
0:18:26 > 0:18:29are constantly being thrown curve balls,
0:18:29 > 0:18:32having to deal with incidents that are difficult to diagnose
0:18:32 > 0:18:34and, in the case of mental health,
0:18:34 > 0:18:37even more difficult for these young students to comprehend.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43A 21-year-old female who's self-harming,
0:18:43 > 0:18:45and the police are en route as well.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50We're going to a 37-year-old male. Police are on the scene now.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52He's very confused and dazed.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58I feel aggressive, and I can change like that,
0:18:58 > 0:19:02and I feel like seriously hurting people.
0:19:02 > 0:19:03When you're in situations like that,
0:19:03 > 0:19:07- always be aware of what's around you. - Yeah.- Go in and you can be out.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09You've just got to keep your wits about you.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11And where is the razor now?
0:19:11 > 0:19:14'It's really, really hard to go into a mental health case'
0:19:14 > 0:19:17because there's nothing, really... that I felt I could do.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19How often are you cutting yourself?
0:19:19 > 0:19:23It's purely a take it as it comes kind of scenario, really,
0:19:23 > 0:19:25with each patient.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28I don't know anything about mental health.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30Relatives have just come rushing out saying
0:19:30 > 0:19:32that he's head-butting the door
0:19:32 > 0:19:34'I find it a little bit scary.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36'It's just this massive, bottomless pit'
0:19:36 > 0:19:38of the unknown.
0:19:40 > 0:19:44'It was difficult to erm, actually remain calm'
0:19:44 > 0:19:45in that situation
0:19:45 > 0:19:49'where that much blood has been around.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52'It's not always straightforward to actually fix them
0:19:52 > 0:19:56'because you can fix the wounds or anything like that
0:19:56 > 0:20:00'but you can't actually necessarily fix what's happening in their head.'
0:20:14 > 0:20:18Throughout their placement, the trainees are finding out first-hand
0:20:18 > 0:20:21just how hard the job can be sometimes.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23So when they get a rare day off,
0:20:23 > 0:20:27they make the most of it by visiting family and friends.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29Steph's off to see her grandad.
0:20:29 > 0:20:33I'm driving because it's, erm, chucking it down.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36Instead of living in halls, Steph chose to stay at home
0:20:36 > 0:20:39so her grandparents are close by.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41They live about a two minute walk away from me.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44When I was little, they lived opposite me, so...
0:20:44 > 0:20:46I'm very close to them.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49It was Steph's grandad who suggested this career
0:20:49 > 0:20:52but he didn't think she'd be out with the armed police so soon.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55Right, how did you get on then?
0:20:55 > 0:20:57I was, like, quite nervous because I was like,
0:20:57 > 0:20:59"Are me and Sam going to have to get
0:20:59 > 0:21:01"in the back of the ambulance with this man?"
0:21:01 > 0:21:05And he'd, like, cut all his neck, cut all his wrists and someone had hit...
0:21:05 > 0:21:08- Sam's a woman?- Yeah.- Sam's a woman. - Yeah.
0:21:08 > 0:21:13Two, like, young women like in the back with this big man that
0:21:13 > 0:21:14had like slit his wrists, slit his neck
0:21:14 > 0:21:18and he was like one of the nicest patients I'd had, like, so far.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21He was just so polite to me. It was just...
0:21:21 > 0:21:24odd. I felt kind of guilty that I'd been, like, nervous of him and then
0:21:24 > 0:21:27after meeting him, I was like, "Oh, OK, he's really nice to me.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29"There's no reason for me to be nervous of him."
0:21:29 > 0:21:32- Well, all the signs should have made you frightened.- Yeah.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34Policemen with guns and things like that.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37Exactly, but I think it was all a bit like...
0:21:38 > 0:21:41..what was said was more frightening than what he'd actually done.
0:21:41 > 0:21:45- See you later.- Yeah, keep us informed then, Steph.- Will do.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54While Steph enjoys some much needed time out,
0:21:54 > 0:21:58over in Leicester, Lucy Wright started her 12-hour shift
0:21:58 > 0:22:00at two in the afternoon.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03Sausage, bean and cheese melt.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05It's breakfast for me.
0:22:05 > 0:22:09She's feeling more at ease with her crew mates now but chatting
0:22:09 > 0:22:13to patients is still proving hard for Lucy to get to grips with.
0:22:14 > 0:22:19The only thing I struggle with is the interaction with people.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21When you are dealing with situations you've got to, you know,
0:22:21 > 0:22:23try not to offend people.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26I am really scared of offending people.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30Lucy's next patient is a diabetic lady who's taken a potentially
0:22:30 > 0:22:33dangerous amount of painkillers.
0:22:33 > 0:22:37The paramedic on site has already checked her over.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41Erm, when she was driving home she felt unwell
0:22:41 > 0:22:43and had a vomiting episode.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46She describes herself as feeling drunk, basically.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49She's non-insulin-dependent diabetic,
0:22:49 > 0:22:53at the moment her blood sugar level is 16.4...
0:22:53 > 0:22:57With high blood sugar levels and a reaction to the painkillers,
0:22:57 > 0:23:01Sadie is a complicated patient and she'll have to go to hospital.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05But you see, I don't drink, I don't take illicit drugs
0:23:05 > 0:23:07and to feel how I felt,
0:23:07 > 0:23:10I knew I'd done something wrong by taking all these tablets.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13'Sometimes when I walk in a room and there's paramedics there'
0:23:13 > 0:23:16and I do know that they are qualified to do things,
0:23:16 > 0:23:20it's quite daunting and you do think, "Oh, no, what do I say?"
0:23:20 > 0:23:23You don't want to look like an idiot but you don't want to look
0:23:23 > 0:23:26like a typical student paramedic and just not say anything at all.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29But Lucy does need to get involved and once on the ambulance,
0:23:29 > 0:23:32it's the perfect opportunity for her to face her fears
0:23:32 > 0:23:35about talking to patients.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38- Right I'm going to do another BM on you.- Do you have to?
0:23:38 > 0:23:41- Was it on this finger originally? - Yeah.- I'll do it on another one.
0:23:42 > 0:23:47- Sharp scratch.- Prack. Prick. It's the worst prick ever. Isn't it?
0:23:47 > 0:23:50- I know. We hate doing it to people as well.- I can imagine.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52My friend, she tests me every day.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55- Here you are look.- Well, you're supposed to but I avoid it.
0:23:55 > 0:23:56Yeah.
0:23:58 > 0:24:03- 15.9.- It's coming down, 16. Yeah man. - Come down a bit.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06Sadie's blood sugar levels are dropping
0:24:06 > 0:24:11and without that to worry about, she wants to know more about Lucy.
0:24:11 > 0:24:15- How long you been a student then? - About 10 weeks.- Oh, just!
0:24:15 > 0:24:17- Yeah.- She's literally just come out.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21- Sugar. Well done to you.- Thank you.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24- How old are you? Because you're not very old?- Have a guess.
0:24:25 > 0:24:29She's looking at you. From top to bottom she's looking at you.
0:24:29 > 0:24:3020, 19-20.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33- 19.- Yeah, I'm normally good. - She's accurate it's good.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36INDISTINCT CHATTER
0:24:36 > 0:24:40The chat's going well but Lucy's got work to do.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43Next, it's blood pressure - normally a painless procedure.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45Argh!
0:24:45 > 0:24:47- Just keep it...- Argh! - ..nice and relaxed, Sadie,
0:24:47 > 0:24:49because otherwise it will go tighter.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52I think they're uncomfortable as well.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55They ought to invent a new thing for this.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58Whoever invented this blood pressure thing was nutty.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01Weren't normal at the time.
0:25:01 > 0:25:02Oh, it's vile.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05Oh, it's done, it's done.
0:25:05 > 0:25:06Thank God for that.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11With the checks complete, there's time for more small talk.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15It's something that Sadie can teach Lucy a thing or two about.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18So, you've just started being a student, this job?
0:25:18 > 0:25:20Yeah, I only started in September.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22So, what did you do before?
0:25:22 > 0:25:25A bit of everything really. I used to work at Halfords.
0:25:25 > 0:25:26And what made you want to be a paramedic?
0:25:26 > 0:25:29I don't know, a bit of madness.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31- It's not madness.- No, it's lovely.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34I met someone who was a paramedic
0:25:34 > 0:25:36and I used to really like writing and I started
0:25:36 > 0:25:40getting into medicine and I liked the fast pace of being a paramedic.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42So there we go. We're here.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44Wow.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48- Is it rewarding? - It is, yeah. It's lovely, yeah.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50I love doing it. Love the shifts as well.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53And what's the hardest, children, middle-aged or the elderly?
0:25:53 > 0:25:55- Elderly for me.- Is it?!
0:25:55 > 0:25:58- Yeah, it's just talking to people. - No, the elderly are lovely.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01I know they're lovely, I just get so het up about offending people...
0:26:01 > 0:26:04- Ah, bless you. - ..and I don't want to offend anyone.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06Lucy's got no worries here.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10Having Sadie on the ambulance has been a big boost to her confidence.
0:26:10 > 0:26:11- When you've done your two years... - Yeah.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14..you want to be like Natalie, obviously.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16- Yeah, I will be. I'll be qualified. - Will you?- Yes.
0:26:16 > 0:26:20Ah, bless you. And you're good with words.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23Very encouraging that a young girl of her age is doing it, isn't it?
0:26:23 > 0:26:24Yeah.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28# We will never be as young as we are now
0:26:28 > 0:26:31# Faces in the crowd are thinning out... #
0:26:31 > 0:26:33'I'm not afraid to talk to patients any more.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35'I'm still afraid of offending older people
0:26:35 > 0:26:37'but then again, it's just...'
0:26:37 > 0:26:40you know, having the life experience, really and I'm only young
0:26:40 > 0:26:42so I'm not going to have, you know, loads of it.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45But I try and do what I can to, like, build my confidence.
0:26:53 > 0:26:57Perfecting bedside manner is something you can't teach
0:26:57 > 0:27:00but the junior paramedics have intensive classroom training
0:27:00 > 0:27:02for the medical procedures.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06- It's hard when you're fingers are wet.- Don't worry.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13And during their placement, they have a check list
0:27:13 > 0:27:14of over 100 skills to tick off.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17Can I have a backup green response, please?
0:27:17 > 0:27:18Ready, brace, lift.
0:27:18 > 0:27:23Everything from chest compressions, to blood pressure.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26I feel like there's so much knowledge you need to understand
0:27:26 > 0:27:30and actually get a grip with that, I, you know...
0:27:30 > 0:27:31It's a long road.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34It is a long road and we're only part of the way down it.
0:27:39 > 0:27:43At this stage of their training, the juniors are finding themselves
0:27:43 > 0:27:45wishing for things they never thought they would.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48And even when Nick gets a night off with his girlfriend,
0:27:48 > 0:27:52he can't get the check list off his mind.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55I don't want a cardiac arrest to happen.
0:27:55 > 0:27:57Because it's a horrible thought...
0:27:57 > 0:28:00- It is, yeah.- ..to think that someone's going through that
0:28:00 > 0:28:03- and you're gaining from it. - Yeah.- Which is horrible.- Yeah.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06But when a cardiac arrest actually happens, I'd like to be there
0:28:06 > 0:28:09because, erm, I need to tick it off.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12# Every night I go
0:28:12 > 0:28:16# Every night I go sneaking out the door
0:28:18 > 0:28:20# I lie a little more
0:28:20 > 0:28:23# Baby I'm helpless... #
0:28:24 > 0:28:26When Nick gets back on a day shift,
0:28:26 > 0:28:29he doesn't get called to a cardiac arrest
0:28:29 > 0:28:32but he does get something else he's not experienced yet.
0:28:35 > 0:28:37- Ah! RTC.- Oh, is it?
0:28:37 > 0:28:39Oh, it is an RTC.
0:28:39 > 0:28:41Attending a road traffic collision
0:28:41 > 0:28:45is a rite of passage for these trainees.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47This is my first RTC.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51I'm a little bit excited. I'd really love to wear my helmet
0:28:51 > 0:28:54- but I don't think Jonny will let... - If you want to wear your helmet,
0:28:54 > 0:28:56- Nick, by all means do so. - But can you wear yours as well?
0:28:56 > 0:28:58- No.- Aw.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03Are you sure we don't need a helmet? That tree looks a bit suspect.
0:29:03 > 0:29:05As it's a new kind of case for Nick,
0:29:05 > 0:29:07Jonny takes the lead with the patient.
0:29:07 > 0:29:09Her car is in the ditch
0:29:09 > 0:29:13but another motorist stopped to let her shelter in his van.
0:29:13 > 0:29:15Where's hurting at the minute?
0:29:15 > 0:29:17The middle part of my back.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19Right, just lean forward for me.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24There's nothing the matter with your spine at the minute.
0:29:24 > 0:29:27She escaped with just some soft tissue damage,
0:29:27 > 0:29:29so even though the car's a write-off
0:29:29 > 0:29:31there's no need for her to go to hospital.
0:29:31 > 0:29:35Which leaves Nick with some time to indulge his curiosity.
0:29:37 > 0:29:40Having a look at the mechanism of injury to the car.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45There's been a bump in it.
0:29:46 > 0:29:50Seasoned paramedic Jonny has seen it all before.
0:29:50 > 0:29:54- Fortunately, all of that at the back is a crumple zone.- Yeah.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57- So everything has done exactly what it's supposed to do.- Yeah.
0:29:57 > 0:30:01So that's taken all the impact so that she doesn't have to.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03Can you see me under me hood?
0:30:03 > 0:30:05Me beaky cap!
0:30:08 > 0:30:12There are more than 2,000 traffic accidents in this area every year
0:30:12 > 0:30:17and no sooner are they back in the car than another call comes through.
0:30:17 > 0:30:19- Oh, for heaven's sake!- Another one!
0:30:19 > 0:30:22Another RTC! Woo!
0:30:22 > 0:30:24I bet you it's going to be
0:30:24 > 0:30:26in the field on the corner at the bottom of this road.
0:30:26 > 0:30:28How much do you want to bet?
0:30:29 > 0:30:32- Three years' salary. - No, you're all right.
0:30:32 > 0:30:34Well...
0:30:34 > 0:30:38- You've not got a salary.- You've got much more to lose than I have.
0:30:38 > 0:30:42The car lost control and ended up in this field.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45The patient walked away with minor injuries again,
0:30:45 > 0:30:49so Nick and Jonny are quickly back on the road,
0:30:49 > 0:30:50ready for the next call.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57It's another RTC, his third in a row.
0:31:01 > 0:31:04But this time, it's far more serious.
0:31:06 > 0:31:11The things that would be really hard for me to see would be
0:31:11 > 0:31:13anything with small children.
0:31:22 > 0:31:23Who do we have here, then?
0:31:23 > 0:31:26All right, sweetie.
0:31:26 > 0:31:28Could I squeeze in there, buddy?
0:31:28 > 0:31:32Could I trouble somebody just to hold the blanket over him
0:31:32 > 0:31:36so he's not getting very wet? That's brilliant, thank you.
0:31:36 > 0:31:40The child was crossing the road when a car hit him.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43The injuries he sustained could be life-threatening.
0:31:45 > 0:31:50'I was expecting an adult, you've got kind of a mental image going on
0:31:50 > 0:31:53'and then it's a child in front of you.'
0:31:53 > 0:31:56- Do you want me to help?- Yeah, if you can hold his elbow for me so
0:31:56 > 0:32:00he doesn't bend his arm. Nick, shine the light straight at his hand.
0:32:00 > 0:32:04With a case as serious as this, every junior paramedic needs to know
0:32:04 > 0:32:08when to step back and leave it to those with more experience.
0:32:08 > 0:32:09BOY CRIES
0:32:09 > 0:32:11Good boy. You hold my hand, then.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15- Good boy.- Watching his mentor Jonny
0:32:15 > 0:32:18will give Nick valuable knowledge for the future.
0:32:18 > 0:32:22He's bull's-eyed this car here.
0:32:22 > 0:32:23He what, sorry?
0:32:23 > 0:32:27Bull's-eyed the windscreen, so I'd query loss of consciousness
0:32:27 > 0:32:30- but I can't confirm, I would imagine so.- OK.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33Has vomited. Pupils were unequal but are both reacting.
0:32:33 > 0:32:37Well done. I know this isn't nice.
0:32:37 > 0:32:39'I've never seen my mentor stressed or panicked.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42'I think he is exceptionally good at his job
0:32:42 > 0:32:47'and I think he has a really good ability to make people feel at ease.'
0:32:47 > 0:32:49BOY CRIES
0:32:49 > 0:32:51- All right.- Well done.
0:32:52 > 0:32:56It's a chaotic scene but Nick needs to hold his nerve.
0:32:56 > 0:32:58With a risk of spinal injuries,
0:32:58 > 0:33:02the patient needs to be secured to a rigid stretcher.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08'It is upsetting to see anyone like that.
0:33:08 > 0:33:10'It's just an unnatural thing
0:33:10 > 0:33:14'to see somebody so kind of young and that poorly, really.
0:33:14 > 0:33:16'It isn't very nice at all.'
0:33:20 > 0:33:23The boy was taken to hospital and put into an induced coma
0:33:23 > 0:33:27while they ran tests to determine the extent of his injuries.
0:33:31 > 0:33:32I don't know if you get used to it.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35I don't know if you get actually better at handling it.
0:33:35 > 0:33:37That, again, is a learning curve.
0:33:39 > 0:33:41He needed brain surgery
0:33:41 > 0:33:44but, four weeks later, had made a good recovery.
0:33:57 > 0:34:00The junior paramedics are over halfway through
0:34:00 > 0:34:02their first placement.
0:34:02 > 0:34:05- Sorry...- Rosemary, darling... - Sorry!- I got whacked!
0:34:05 > 0:34:07I didn't mean it!
0:34:07 > 0:34:11They're on the front line, seeing everyone from the very young...
0:34:11 > 0:34:15It's quite different to obviously having an older patient
0:34:15 > 0:34:17that can talk and respond to you
0:34:17 > 0:34:20but he's cute, so it makes it...
0:34:21 > 0:34:22..to the very old.
0:34:22 > 0:34:25Can you say, "British constitution" for me?
0:34:25 > 0:34:27British constitution.
0:34:27 > 0:34:29Good. And "baby hipp...hippopotamus"?
0:34:29 > 0:34:32- Baby hippopotamus.- Good. You can do it better than I can.
0:34:33 > 0:34:37But when it gets dark, they get a different kind of patient.
0:34:38 > 0:34:40LAUGHTER
0:34:40 > 0:34:43TECHNO MUSIC
0:34:46 > 0:34:49And rookie Lucy is about to get first-hand experience
0:34:49 > 0:34:52of being on the other side of a student night out
0:34:52 > 0:34:55when she does a night shift with mentor Natalie.
0:34:55 > 0:35:00We're going to a bar and it's a 20-year-old male with a head injury.
0:35:05 > 0:35:07Wednesday nights in Leicester
0:35:07 > 0:35:10are when the uni students go out on the razz
0:35:10 > 0:35:13and sometimes have one sherbet too many.
0:35:15 > 0:35:19- Sit down. Sit down. - Sit down.- Ron, sit down!
0:35:19 > 0:35:22What's happened to him? Obviously he's drunk.
0:35:22 > 0:35:23I literally don't know.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26I came outside and he was just laying on the floor.
0:35:26 > 0:35:30- I think he got kicked out. - Are you his friends?- Yeah, yeah.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32- We know him from social, so... - OK, right.
0:35:32 > 0:35:34- We was at the same place.- Right.
0:35:34 > 0:35:37- How much has he drank, do you know? - I have no idea.- No.
0:35:37 > 0:35:39- I thought he was fine.- Right.
0:35:39 > 0:35:40A few minutes ago he was fine.
0:35:40 > 0:35:42Oi, Ron, put it away, man!
0:35:42 > 0:35:45He's going to need to go down to the hospital.
0:35:45 > 0:35:46What are you doing?
0:35:46 > 0:35:48He's going for a wee, I think.
0:35:48 > 0:35:50He already wee'd. I made him wee.
0:35:50 > 0:35:52Thank you very much.
0:35:52 > 0:35:55He just filled his own hand with urine from his own penis,
0:35:55 > 0:35:59like it was just floating in urine, his own hand.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02Do you want to get him to cover up a bit?
0:36:02 > 0:36:05Like Lucy, the patient is a student
0:36:05 > 0:36:10but, right now, their university experiences are poles apart.
0:36:10 > 0:36:12Oh, he's pissing, he's pissing. He just pissed.
0:36:12 > 0:36:14FRIEND: I'm so sorry.
0:36:14 > 0:36:19It was just really embarrassing for him and me, to be honest.
0:36:19 > 0:36:23Because I am his age and he's not doing our age group any favour.
0:36:23 > 0:36:25'And I don't want to say anything bad about him
0:36:25 > 0:36:28'but I just can't believe he got in that state.'
0:36:28 > 0:36:30Open your eyes.
0:36:30 > 0:36:32No, come on. Ah, ah, ah.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35No. Oh, pull them up.
0:36:41 > 0:36:44The night is young for Leicester's students, but for this one,
0:36:44 > 0:36:46they've already called time.
0:36:46 > 0:36:49- Right, go up towards the ladies'. - Mate, don't do that.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52Don't do that. That's not very nice, is it?
0:36:52 > 0:36:55'Before I came on placement and went on shift
0:36:55 > 0:36:57'I just thought drunks were...'
0:36:57 > 0:36:59you know, violent, aggressive all the time
0:36:59 > 0:37:01but it's surprised me because not everyone is.
0:37:01 > 0:37:03But then obviously alcohol's a factor,
0:37:03 > 0:37:05so you've got to always be wary.
0:37:05 > 0:37:07Someone might seem calm and then they can flip.
0:37:07 > 0:37:09So your opinion does change
0:37:09 > 0:37:12but you can't really think, "Oh, God, everyone's going to punch me,"
0:37:12 > 0:37:14because it's not the right way to go about it.
0:37:14 > 0:37:18With the usual checks out of the way, Lucy has the unenviable task
0:37:18 > 0:37:21of going through his wee-soaked pockets.
0:37:21 > 0:37:23Erm...
0:37:23 > 0:37:25Have you got any ID on you? Yeah?
0:37:25 > 0:37:27What pocket is it in?
0:37:28 > 0:37:31Is it in this one?
0:37:31 > 0:37:32I had to get his ID out of his pocket
0:37:32 > 0:37:35'and it was just absolutely soaked with urine
0:37:35 > 0:37:38'and gloves did not make me feel safe at all.'
0:37:41 > 0:37:42There we go.
0:37:44 > 0:37:47Lovely. He's got some ID.
0:37:48 > 0:37:49Cheers.
0:37:49 > 0:37:53For paramedics, drunk patients are treated just like any other
0:37:53 > 0:37:55and if they can't get themselves home,
0:37:55 > 0:37:58they're taken to hospital to sober up.
0:37:59 > 0:38:02How does it make you feel? Because, obviously, he's older than you.
0:38:02 > 0:38:04- Only just.- Yeah.
0:38:04 > 0:38:09But I'd never wee myself in public or get that drunk to do that.
0:38:09 > 0:38:13I mean, it's only - what - 11.40pm, so the night is young.
0:38:13 > 0:38:16Yeah. Not for him, because he's now going to be in hospital.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18And his friends are out again, so...
0:38:21 > 0:38:24The first of many, I'm sure.
0:38:24 > 0:38:27SIREN BLARES
0:38:32 > 0:38:36As Lucy's night shift comes to an end,
0:38:36 > 0:38:38the 6am early shift for Steph in Corby
0:38:38 > 0:38:41also starts with a drink-related call.
0:38:49 > 0:38:53Call-outs involving alcohol make up a fifth of all paramedic jobs.
0:38:53 > 0:38:55Most don't really need an ambulance,
0:38:55 > 0:38:59and the risk of violence from these patients is a real concern.
0:39:01 > 0:39:05Just be wary, cos sometimes they don't like an ambulance turning up
0:39:05 > 0:39:07when they're having a nice little sleep on the pavement.
0:39:08 > 0:39:11'In 18 months, I will have just turned 20'
0:39:11 > 0:39:16and will able to stand there and say I am a registered paramedic.
0:39:16 > 0:39:18I'm qualified to go out on my own.
0:39:18 > 0:39:22'The idea of being on the car on my own absolutely terrifies me.'
0:39:23 > 0:39:25The police are not necessarily attending.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28If he starts being abusive at all, we'll just get back in the car
0:39:28 > 0:39:29and drive away.
0:39:30 > 0:39:34Dealing with drunks is a whole new ball game for Steph.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37At just 18, she's the youngest trainee,
0:39:37 > 0:39:41and has not had much chance to sample Northampton's nightlife yet.
0:39:41 > 0:39:43I've only been out three times,
0:39:43 > 0:39:45and if I've had any alcohol, I can't sleep.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48Everyone says to me that's really weird, but I'm, like,
0:39:48 > 0:39:50bouncing off the walls.
0:39:50 > 0:39:52- You haven't had enough, then. - STEPH LAUGHS
0:39:52 > 0:39:54Probably.
0:40:00 > 0:40:02Let's get rid of them.
0:40:05 > 0:40:06Right.
0:40:06 > 0:40:11Hello. Can you hear me? It's the ambulance service.
0:40:11 > 0:40:15- OK. So he's...- Eyes?- ..breathing. Yeah, check his pupils.- OK.
0:40:15 > 0:40:17- That's quite big, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21- You're laid on the floor in the middle of the street.- Uh-huh. Yeah.
0:40:21 > 0:40:23Yeah? Can you get up for us now?
0:40:23 > 0:40:26- Otherwise we'll have to get the police.- Yeah.- Yeah?
0:40:26 > 0:40:27Can you sit up, then?
0:40:27 > 0:40:29Vulnerable patients who refuse medical help
0:40:29 > 0:40:31often get referred to the police.
0:40:33 > 0:40:34What can I call you?
0:40:34 > 0:40:36- Beautiful. - SHE LAUGHS
0:40:36 > 0:40:37Ain't ya? Ain't ya?
0:40:38 > 0:40:40What's your name, and where do you live?
0:40:43 > 0:40:46- Do you want a hand to get up? - No.- OK. Where do you live?
0:40:49 > 0:40:51- Do you know where we are now?- Mm-hm.
0:40:51 > 0:40:53Yeah? Where are you going?
0:40:53 > 0:40:55Down here.
0:40:56 > 0:40:58Another life saved.
0:40:58 > 0:41:00At least he had a jacket on.
0:41:00 > 0:41:01STEPH LAUGHS
0:41:05 > 0:41:06RADIO BEEPS
0:41:06 > 0:41:08131, you can stand the crew down.
0:41:08 > 0:41:11We've woke the patient up and he's decided to walk home.
0:41:22 > 0:41:24And they've not been back at base long
0:41:24 > 0:41:28when they get another call, to another drunk patient.
0:41:28 > 0:41:30- RADIO:- 'They can't get him up off the ground.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33'He doesn't know what's happened to him. He's just lying on the path.'
0:41:33 > 0:41:36- Is it the same guy?- Sounds like it.
0:41:36 > 0:41:38That's really annoying if it's the same guy.
0:41:38 > 0:41:41It's got to be, hasn't it? Same area.
0:41:41 > 0:41:42Same problem.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45# Over and over and over and over
0:41:45 > 0:41:47# And over
0:41:47 > 0:41:50# Like a monkey with a miniature cymbal... #
0:41:50 > 0:41:53We need to find out his address
0:41:53 > 0:41:56because if it's only round the corner, we can just walk him home.
0:41:56 > 0:41:58Yeah.
0:41:58 > 0:42:00It's the same guy.
0:42:00 > 0:42:01Oh, there is he is.
0:42:01 > 0:42:04But this time he's found a grass bit to lay on.
0:42:04 > 0:42:05He'll be soaking wet now.
0:42:07 > 0:42:09Hello!
0:42:09 > 0:42:13We know that you've just walked here. We've... Just... That's it.
0:42:13 > 0:42:15Sit against the fence.
0:42:15 > 0:42:19Right, you've had two ambulances now.
0:42:19 > 0:42:20Where do you live?
0:42:22 > 0:42:23Right, on your feet.
0:42:32 > 0:42:36Right, tell me your address. We need to get you home.
0:42:38 > 0:42:41Let's start with the number. What number do you live at?
0:42:42 > 0:42:45HE MUMBLES
0:42:45 > 0:42:48He may have been happy to sleep on the pavement, but now,
0:42:48 > 0:42:51it seems, he's capable of finding his own way home.
0:42:51 > 0:42:53How far have you got to go?
0:42:54 > 0:42:57Erm...round the corner.
0:42:58 > 0:43:02131, yet again, we've woke the patient up and he's got up
0:43:02 > 0:43:05and walked off, but he won't let us assist him home.
0:43:05 > 0:43:07I think if they ring again it's more a police job,
0:43:07 > 0:43:09because there's nothing medically wrong with him.
0:43:09 > 0:43:12- We'll drive up there because we'll only get a call back to him.- Yeah.
0:43:12 > 0:43:16- He's definitely sobering up a bit more, anyway, isn't he?- Yeah.
0:43:16 > 0:43:19- He actually was able to speak that time, so...- Yeah.
0:43:20 > 0:43:226 to 12...
0:43:24 > 0:43:27He's home. Right, if you book us clear on there
0:43:27 > 0:43:29and put "refused treatment and travel" again.
0:43:29 > 0:43:33- "Left scene" first, yeah? - Status and then clear at scene.
0:43:35 > 0:43:37Steph's seen for herself the pressure drunk patients
0:43:37 > 0:43:40put on East Midlands Ambulance Service.
0:43:40 > 0:43:43# Kids again
0:43:43 > 0:43:45# Let's behave like kids again. #
0:43:45 > 0:43:47But later that day...
0:43:49 > 0:43:52..not averse to having a drink themselves,
0:43:52 > 0:43:56junior paramedics Amy and Max meet up with Lucy and Bryn
0:43:56 > 0:43:57for a cocktail and a catch-up.
0:43:59 > 0:44:00Oh, it's so nice.
0:44:03 > 0:44:07- Hi, guys.- Hi.- Hello. - What's yours, Amy?
0:44:07 > 0:44:08I don't know.
0:44:08 > 0:44:10I asked her to recommend something and she said something,
0:44:10 > 0:44:13and I was like, "Oh, yeah - I'll have that."
0:44:13 > 0:44:15THEY LAUGH
0:44:15 > 0:44:17I've got no life since I've started this placement.
0:44:17 > 0:44:20You don't when you're on shift. You just don't see anybody at all.
0:44:20 > 0:44:23The drunks are just the worst.
0:44:23 > 0:44:26There was one guy who was exposing himself every two minutes
0:44:26 > 0:44:27and weeing everywhere.
0:44:27 > 0:44:31It's kind of... It's not funny, but when you have to get your hands
0:44:31 > 0:44:35into their urine-soaked trousers to get their ID out...
0:44:35 > 0:44:36- It's gross.- Yeah.
0:44:36 > 0:44:40- I think this is, like, the make- or-break placement, isn't it?- Mm.
0:44:40 > 0:44:42It puts everything into perspective.
0:44:42 > 0:44:44All the things you learn in the classroom you actually do use,
0:44:44 > 0:44:47but are very, very different from how you'd do it in the classroom.
0:44:47 > 0:44:50It's really good to get that whole consolidation
0:44:50 > 0:44:51of what we've actually learnt.
0:44:51 > 0:44:52And it's good...
0:44:52 > 0:44:55I know, from my first day, that it was the career for me anyway.
0:44:55 > 0:44:57But it was nice to actually have that first shift
0:44:57 > 0:44:59and you're like, "This is actually definitely..."
0:44:59 > 0:45:02To have that complete validation where you can go,
0:45:02 > 0:45:04- "This is definitely the career for me."- Yeah.
0:45:09 > 0:45:13In Northampton, oldest trainee Ashley couldn't make the party.
0:45:13 > 0:45:15She's on shift with mentor Simon.
0:45:15 > 0:45:19They're about to get a call that will test whether Ashley
0:45:19 > 0:45:21really has what it takes to become a paramedic.
0:45:21 > 0:45:24TECHNO MUSIC
0:45:24 > 0:45:26SIREN WAILS
0:45:33 > 0:45:36We have just witnessed a fire engine go flying past,
0:45:36 > 0:45:41so maybe it's indication of potential burns victims, smoke inhalation,
0:45:41 > 0:45:44and if they're still trapped, that's quite daunting, really.
0:45:49 > 0:45:51We're driving pretty fast.
0:45:51 > 0:45:53I think this is the fastest I've been.
0:45:53 > 0:45:56SIREN BLARES
0:45:57 > 0:45:59I'm going to vomit.
0:46:00 > 0:46:03When they arrive, it's carnage.
0:46:08 > 0:46:11It's a pretty bad fire, pretty bad fire.
0:46:12 > 0:46:17The building's still ablaze and fire fighters are battling to control it.
0:46:17 > 0:46:23You step out and it's blue lights, you know, from us, police, fire.
0:46:23 > 0:46:27You're nervous because you have a jacket on that doesn't indicate that
0:46:27 > 0:46:30you're a student. People are going to think that I'm going to know stuff,
0:46:30 > 0:46:33but in a really strange way, you're really excited to be there.
0:46:40 > 0:46:44Two local men broke down the doors to check no-one was trapped.
0:46:44 > 0:46:47Ashley's patient, Chris, is one of them.
0:46:47 > 0:46:52He's inhaled a serious amount of smoke and needs urgent attention.
0:46:52 > 0:46:55- What would you like me to do - obs? - Yeah, listen to his chest.
0:46:55 > 0:46:56- Listen to chest?- Yeah.
0:46:56 > 0:46:59- Let's get this off.- And then one bloke started having a panic.
0:46:59 > 0:47:01- HE COUGHS - Excuse me.- No, you're all right.
0:47:01 > 0:47:04Can you sit forward, if that's OK?
0:47:04 > 0:47:08I'm just going to listen to your back. Take some deep breaths.
0:47:08 > 0:47:11HE COUGHS AND SPLUTTERS
0:47:15 > 0:47:20Inhaling a lot of smoke can damage the lungs and airways.
0:47:20 > 0:47:22It's hard to spot, but can be fatal,
0:47:22 > 0:47:26so the pressure's on for Ashley to complete his observations quickly.
0:47:28 > 0:47:31Ever so slight, ever so slight crackle.
0:47:34 > 0:47:37- Yeah.- It's a big responsibility for rookie Ashley.
0:47:37 > 0:47:41Every move is marked towards this placement
0:47:41 > 0:47:44and could be the difference between a pass or a fail.
0:47:44 > 0:47:47- Right, I just need to listen to the front, if that's OK?- Yeah.
0:47:47 > 0:47:49- Are you all right, love? - Yes, it's just all hitting home.
0:47:50 > 0:47:52Nothing whatsoever, honestly.
0:47:52 > 0:47:53No, nothing.
0:47:53 > 0:47:55Nothing at all, honestly.
0:47:55 > 0:47:57- It's just all hit home a bit now, I think.- Yeah.
0:48:00 > 0:48:03With the patient stable and the fire under control,
0:48:03 > 0:48:07it's a chance to find out more about what happened.
0:48:07 > 0:48:10So you were just indoors and you heard shouts for help, or...?
0:48:10 > 0:48:14We were just coming out of here, just about to get into the car,
0:48:14 > 0:48:17- and then we see the family standing on the road...- And the smoke.- And
0:48:17 > 0:48:20fire, and they were standing right in front of where the window was.
0:48:20 > 0:48:23- Mm.- I'm telling you, it was two minutes after - bang!
0:48:23 > 0:48:25The whole window went up.
0:48:25 > 0:48:27HE EXHALES
0:48:28 > 0:48:31Anyone was in that house - finished. I'm telling you.
0:48:31 > 0:48:33Mentor Simon needs an update,
0:48:33 > 0:48:38and it's up to Ashley to prove she's got things under control.
0:48:38 > 0:48:40- Chest is clear?- Chest is clear, yes.
0:48:40 > 0:48:43Checked posterior to anterior, and it was clear.
0:48:43 > 0:48:46There was an ever so slight wheeze,
0:48:46 > 0:48:48patient's right-hand side lower, but he's asthmatic, so...
0:48:48 > 0:48:51- OK. Just keep an eye on things for a bit.- Yep.
0:48:53 > 0:48:54With the immediate danger passed,
0:48:54 > 0:48:58the scale of what could have happened starts to hit home.
0:49:00 > 0:49:03If they had had, sort of, ten people down there,
0:49:03 > 0:49:07and you needed to sort of triage on who you treat when, based on what's
0:49:07 > 0:49:11wrong with them, I'm not at that level to understand that yet, but
0:49:11 > 0:49:15I would have been like, "Where do you start? What do you do?" You know.
0:49:15 > 0:49:19Yeah, it's like adrenaline and everything's up here,
0:49:19 > 0:49:22but I suppose I'm starting to have a bit of a comedown,
0:49:22 > 0:49:25I'm starting to kind of go, "OK, there's no-one else,
0:49:25 > 0:49:30"the gentleman is OK," So it's a relief. It's a real relief.
0:49:34 > 0:49:38But just when Ashley thought she had it all under control...
0:49:40 > 0:49:41What's wrong?
0:49:41 > 0:49:42What's wrong?
0:49:42 > 0:49:43What's wrong?
0:49:44 > 0:49:48- Chris, sit back for me the best you can.- Let's sit back.
0:49:50 > 0:49:53'In that moment, I kind of questioned everything,
0:49:53 > 0:49:59'and I just thought, "Oh, my God. This is horrendous." '
0:49:59 > 0:50:02Are you all right, Chris? What's wrong? Talk to us.
0:50:04 > 0:50:07Talk to us. Chris, talk to us.
0:50:07 > 0:50:11A sudden change in a patient is something every paramedic dreads.
0:50:11 > 0:50:13Chris?
0:50:13 > 0:50:15Chris?
0:50:15 > 0:50:17- Chris.- Chris.
0:50:17 > 0:50:20I just thought, "Oh, my God. What have I missed?"
0:50:20 > 0:50:22Not just me, but, "What have WE missed?" You know?
0:50:22 > 0:50:25And you do feel a bit of responsibility, like,
0:50:25 > 0:50:29"Have I been really stupid? Have I just completely not thought
0:50:29 > 0:50:31"of something that I should have been doing?"
0:50:33 > 0:50:36Just relax, Chris. You're just having a bit of a faint-headed...
0:50:36 > 0:50:38A bit of a faint, Chris. Lift your legs up.
0:50:38 > 0:50:41CHRIS GROANS AND COUGHS
0:50:44 > 0:50:45- Come down to the bed.- Yeah.
0:50:45 > 0:50:46CHRIS GROANS
0:50:46 > 0:50:49Right, what's hurting, Chris?
0:50:49 > 0:50:51My head. Oh, Jesus Christ.
0:50:51 > 0:50:54HE COUGHS AND WHEEZES
0:50:54 > 0:50:58It's intense, and for a trainee with just four weeks on the job,
0:50:58 > 0:51:02this is a real test of whether Ashley's got what it takes.
0:51:02 > 0:51:05Just shaving you, Chris, just to get these leads on, OK?
0:51:09 > 0:51:10You're on an ambulance.
0:51:11 > 0:51:12And who are you?
0:51:12 > 0:51:18I'm Ashley. I'm a student paramedic, and you're on an ambulance.
0:51:22 > 0:51:25HE COUGHS
0:51:25 > 0:51:30Chris's deterioration is a shock to inexperienced Ashley.
0:51:30 > 0:51:32'At that point, you don't know
0:51:32 > 0:51:34'if they'll suddenly come round and be OK,'
0:51:34 > 0:51:36or if it's going to go into, like, a full, serious, like,
0:51:36 > 0:51:39respiratory arrest or something, like, really major.
0:51:39 > 0:51:41How you doing, buddy? Open your eyes. Good lad.
0:51:41 > 0:51:45Mentor Simon needs to do the final assessment,
0:51:45 > 0:51:48and for this, he relies on the results of Ashley's checks.
0:51:50 > 0:51:52Did his sats drop?
0:51:52 > 0:51:56He was on 95, and he was sitting, talking,
0:51:56 > 0:51:58everything fine - there was no change in his position.
0:51:58 > 0:52:01We were just starting our secondary obs and he just, er, just went,
0:52:01 > 0:52:04"I don't feel right," and just completely slumped out of the chair.
0:52:07 > 0:52:08Chris?
0:52:09 > 0:52:10Yep?
0:52:10 > 0:52:12Just lift up.
0:52:12 > 0:52:13You all right, Chris?
0:52:14 > 0:52:17I think you've inhaled probably more than you think,
0:52:17 > 0:52:20because you was in there for quite a while. Ten minutes in each place.
0:52:20 > 0:52:22That's a long time, and it's a lot of smoke.
0:52:22 > 0:52:26Tell you what, buddy, we'll have to pop you up to the General.
0:52:28 > 0:52:31Calls like this are rare, but Ashley's proved
0:52:31 > 0:52:36she's got what it takes to hold her nerve under pressure.
0:52:36 > 0:52:38'This is one of the big jobs,'
0:52:38 > 0:52:42but it makes you understand why you really couldn't do those
0:52:42 > 0:52:45back-to-back, and they don't happen back-to-back, but you couldn't,
0:52:45 > 0:52:48you know? It takes a lot of resources, it takes a lot of emotion.
0:52:48 > 0:52:50It just takes it out of you. You do have...
0:52:50 > 0:52:53I am having a bit of a comedown, where you go,
0:52:53 > 0:52:56"OK, it is all OK, you did help out, you did contribute."
0:52:58 > 0:53:01Chris spent a night in hospital for investigation,
0:53:01 > 0:53:04but was discharged the next day.
0:53:07 > 0:53:12That was a situation where you go, "Is that what I can do?" You know,
0:53:12 > 0:53:16I can talk to people all day, I can work on communication, and I can work
0:53:16 > 0:53:20on assessments and learn things, but you can't learn how to manage fear
0:53:20 > 0:53:23and you can't learn how to manage adrenaline, and that's - I think -
0:53:23 > 0:53:26your fight-or-flight moment on how do you, as a person,
0:53:26 > 0:53:27suddenly cope with that?
0:53:27 > 0:53:30And for me, that was the... That, really, for me, was,
0:53:30 > 0:53:31"Yeah, you can do this."
0:53:31 > 0:53:34You can learn all the other stuff you are learning, you know.
0:53:34 > 0:53:39It's a learning curve, there's lots to do, but actually, when it hits it,
0:53:39 > 0:53:42I responded well to pressure.
0:53:50 > 0:53:53It's been a testing week for the junior paramedics.
0:53:53 > 0:53:55This is a big job.
0:53:59 > 0:54:01You just keep talking to me.
0:54:01 > 0:54:06'no-one taught me at uni how to sit in this small, confined ambulance,
0:54:06 > 0:54:08'with a man possibly violent,'
0:54:08 > 0:54:12and say, "Yeah, I know how not to be frightened in this situation."
0:54:13 > 0:54:16They've learnt that the key to success in this job
0:54:16 > 0:54:18is being part of a team.
0:54:18 > 0:54:21There's some jobs that you go into and every pair of hands counts.
0:54:21 > 0:54:24OK? Ready, steady, roll.
0:54:24 > 0:54:27The amount of teamwork that goes into it, I just have to think,
0:54:27 > 0:54:30"Wow - these people are absolutely running like clockwork, really,
0:54:30 > 0:54:31"and it's amazing."
0:54:31 > 0:54:334023.
0:54:33 > 0:54:36But when every case throws up a new challenge,
0:54:36 > 0:54:38there's still a lot to learn.
0:54:38 > 0:54:41You definitely have to learn fast. Particularly when your mentor's
0:54:41 > 0:54:45always ten steps ahead of you and you're trying to keep up with them.
0:54:45 > 0:54:47- Is that the crew?- Yes.
0:54:47 > 0:54:50Right, we need to... Right, you ready? We need to go.
0:54:50 > 0:54:53It is difficult, because you don't always know
0:54:53 > 0:54:55exactly what's going to happen until you get there.
0:54:55 > 0:54:59And then, yeah, that's it - it's all systems go.
0:55:01 > 0:55:04And as they go into their final two weeks of this placement,
0:55:04 > 0:55:07every case counts towards getting a good grade.
0:55:07 > 0:55:11Cold outside, isn't it, Alan?
0:55:11 > 0:55:13You want to look good for your mentor. You want to make sure
0:55:13 > 0:55:16they're going to give you a good grade and stuff,
0:55:16 > 0:55:18and they might scrutinize you, and just want to look good
0:55:18 > 0:55:21and make sure you're doing everything right.
0:55:21 > 0:55:24- Well done.- Thank you very much. Thanks for letting me kind of...
0:55:24 > 0:55:25Ready?
0:55:25 > 0:55:29For me, being out on the road is just invaluable experience
0:55:29 > 0:55:31that I can't get from a classroom.
0:55:31 > 0:55:33I have made some mistakes along the way.
0:55:33 > 0:55:35Do you want to...? That's it.
0:55:35 > 0:55:37Make sure you don't stab yourself with it.
0:55:37 > 0:55:40Rather than just seeing them as mistakes, I see them as
0:55:40 > 0:55:42learning curves, like, "I won't do that again."
0:55:42 > 0:55:43Argh! I did.
0:55:44 > 0:55:47- You just stabbed yourself with it? - Yeah.
0:55:49 > 0:55:50Next time...
0:55:53 > 0:55:57With two weeks to go, the junior paramedics are finding
0:55:57 > 0:56:00the patients don't get any easier.
0:56:00 > 0:56:03- Right, hands here. No, no, no! Right!- Put him down.
0:56:03 > 0:56:06With drunk patients, you don't know what they're going to do,
0:56:06 > 0:56:10and it is really scary to be with them in such a small space as well.
0:56:10 > 0:56:12Do NOT put your hands out to us, OK?
0:56:12 > 0:56:15Bryn's having a problem with babies.
0:56:15 > 0:56:18'I find it really difficult to deal with children.'
0:56:18 > 0:56:20You don't like that, do you?
0:56:20 > 0:56:21It is a scary thing.
0:56:21 > 0:56:24The bonnet on the floor, there.
0:56:24 > 0:56:27And Steph is faced with a teenager trapped under a car.
0:56:29 > 0:56:31The way that they'd hit, it looked horrendous.
0:56:31 > 0:56:33'I just saw all this blood.
0:56:33 > 0:56:35'I was like, "Oh, my God. What's all that from?'
0:56:35 > 0:56:37# Gonna rock your ship under my control
0:56:37 > 0:56:40# Like a yo-yo
0:56:40 > 0:56:43# Ooh, when you catch my drift can you ride the flow?
0:56:43 > 0:56:45# Act a little yo-yo
0:56:45 > 0:56:49# Ooh gonna rock your ship under my control
0:56:49 > 0:56:51# Like a yo-yo
0:56:51 > 0:56:52# Ooh
0:56:52 > 0:56:56# Ooh b-b-b-bounce
0:56:56 > 0:56:59# Ooh b-b-b-bounce
0:56:59 > 0:57:02# Ooh b-b-b-bounce. #