0:00:02 > 0:00:06- Ambulance Service. Tell me what's happened.- It's my husband. I can't wake him up.
0:00:06 > 0:00:08Just confirm for me, is he awake?
0:00:08 > 0:00:10He's like comatose. I'm trying to feel a pulse.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14He's on the floor. He's unresponsive.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18Cardiac 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 > 0:00:32And just 12 minutes to save the patient's life.
0:00:32 > 0:00:36Shall we do another pulse check just before we move him?
0:00:36 > 0:00:39It's a scenario that can test the most experienced paramedic.
0:00:43 > 0:00:47But what if you're a first year student and you're new on the job?
0:00:51 > 0:00:52Meet the junior paramedics.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56Does this make me look vain?
0:00:56 > 0:00:58It is quite scary and daunting.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00I am only 19.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02Have you got little ticklish feet?
0:01:03 > 0:01:05We go to a really serious job like a cardiac arrest,
0:01:05 > 0:01:08I will have to get involved.
0:01:08 > 0:01:10You feel like you're doing something that means something.
0:01:10 > 0:01:12It's making a difference.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15Flying around with the blue lights on. That's good, isn't it?
0:01:15 > 0:01:16I'm not going to lie.
0:01:16 > 0:01:18COUGHING
0:01:20 > 0:01:22Let's go do some shots.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24The shifts are going to be hard to get used to.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27I hate mornings. I'm not a morning person at all.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31All of the paramedics that I've spoken to have said
0:01:31 > 0:01:33that there will always be one thing, when you get there,
0:01:33 > 0:01:37you don't know why, but it affects you really badly.
0:01:37 > 0:01:39You've got to be prepared to go in someone's house
0:01:39 > 0:01:41and not be scared of the outcome.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45I'm definitely quite worried dealing with my first fatal,
0:01:45 > 0:01:47or my first body that I come to.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50Being a paramedic is definitely my dream.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52It's something that I've always wanted.
0:01:52 > 0:01:56Studying for a degree in paramedic science is tough.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58Failure is not an option.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04Six weeks of dealing with real people in real emergencies
0:02:04 > 0:02:05is even tougher.
0:02:06 > 0:02:1112 hours to go, and I'm yawning all the time. I'm shattered already.
0:02:11 > 0:02:16Nearing the end of their placement, the patients don't get any easier.
0:02:16 > 0:02:18You haven't got any pain anywhere, have you?
0:02:18 > 0:02:21Just saw all this blood. I was like, "Oh, my God. What's that from?"
0:02:21 > 0:02:23They're young,
0:02:23 > 0:02:24they're inexperienced...
0:02:24 > 0:02:25Oh, my God.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28..and every day is a matter of life or death.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30I was like, ah! Adrenaline.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32For these student paramedics,
0:02:32 > 0:02:35it's make or break on the emergency front line.
0:02:35 > 0:02:37Do you know how to open it? Stop.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46Previously on Junior Paramedics...
0:02:48 > 0:02:50..Ashley was forced to think on her feet
0:02:50 > 0:02:54when a patient took a sudden turn for the worse at a major house fire.
0:02:56 > 0:02:57Chris?
0:02:57 > 0:02:59Chris?
0:02:59 > 0:03:01In that moment, I kind of questioned everything.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05I just thought, "Oh, my God. This is horrendous."
0:03:08 > 0:03:09Steph's nerves were tested
0:03:09 > 0:03:12when she attended a call out to an armed siege.
0:03:13 > 0:03:14This is a big job.
0:03:15 > 0:03:16DOG BARKS
0:03:18 > 0:03:20You just keep talking to me.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22We turned up and there were fire engines
0:03:22 > 0:03:24and 14 armed officers surrounding him.
0:03:24 > 0:03:25I was just terrified.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30And Lucy dealt with the aftermath of a student night out.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33Do you want to get him to cover up a bit?
0:03:35 > 0:03:39It was just really embarrassing for him and me, to be honest.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42I am his age, and it's not doing our age group any favours.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44All right, leave them there, then.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49The Junior Paramedics are only two weeks away
0:03:49 > 0:03:51from the end of their placements.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00And they'll soon be graded by their mentors,
0:04:00 > 0:04:03who'll decide whether they pass or fail.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05Obviously, he's only had it two weeks.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08- So how long have you had that bag on for?- About two weeks.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15Time is running out to impress before they head back to the classroom.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18They're becoming valuable crew members.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20Well done, mate, on that.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22I think you're great with the patients.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25- You know, you tell them what you're doing.- You make me blush.- Aw!
0:04:25 > 0:04:27They've learnt a lot already,
0:04:27 > 0:04:31but the realisation is dawning that they'll soon be flying solo.
0:04:31 > 0:04:35Very, very daunting that we are actually going to be
0:04:35 > 0:04:37paramedics in like a year-and-a-half's time now.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41It's really scary just how quickly everything moves.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44At this moment, I'm extremely scared to be qualified,
0:04:44 > 0:04:48because I just haven't got the knowledge and I'm wondering
0:04:48 > 0:04:53how, in the two years, I'm going to absorb enough to go out by myself.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56You've got to make every decision on your own,
0:04:56 > 0:04:59and the idea of being on the car on my own absolutely terrifies me.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02You don't know where you're going to get sent.
0:05:02 > 0:05:0428 must be this one.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07Looking for houses in the middle of the night is quite frightening.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11I'm always learning more advanced things
0:05:11 > 0:05:13and I think by the time I do qualify as a paramedic,
0:05:13 > 0:05:16I'll still feel like I'm not ready, because there is so much that
0:05:16 > 0:05:19you won't have experienced, cos two years isn't a really long time.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25So, for now, they're still relying heavily on their mentors
0:05:25 > 0:05:27while they have the chance.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29Having your mentor there is a real comfort.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31So you'll be all right with that?
0:05:34 > 0:05:36All looking good, isn't it?
0:05:36 > 0:05:39In Leicester, Lucy Mellor is preparing for a late shift
0:05:39 > 0:05:42with mentor Alistair on a fast-response vehicle.
0:05:42 > 0:05:43So we're looking good, aren't we?
0:05:43 > 0:05:48Done a quick 360 around, everything seems to be in working order.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50Yeah, OK.
0:05:50 > 0:05:51It's blinding me.
0:05:51 > 0:05:52I'll turn them off.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55You were asking the other day that they just had red lights...
0:05:55 > 0:05:57You're not going to come out, are you?
0:05:57 > 0:06:00- Oh, do I need to look at them? - Yeah, course you do, you know.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03Oh, yeah. Oh!
0:06:03 > 0:06:06It's making me go funny.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08HE LAUGHS
0:06:08 > 0:06:11But things are about to get serious.
0:06:11 > 0:06:12Yeah, received!
0:06:12 > 0:06:13A cardiac arrest.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23The call is to her first cardiac arrest,
0:06:23 > 0:06:26and it's the one emergency that all the junior paramedics
0:06:26 > 0:06:29are grateful that they still have their mentors there for.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44So how can someone know it's a cardiac arrest?
0:06:44 > 0:06:46Obviously, how the call comes through,
0:06:46 > 0:06:48they'll say, "Are they breathing?"
0:06:48 > 0:06:50So it's not definitely a cardiac arrest?
0:06:50 > 0:06:53They don't know for certain that they're having a cardiac arrest.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55Yeah.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59You know if someone's not breathing, don't you?
0:07:04 > 0:07:07- What do we need out the back? - Take everything.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13Lucy and Alistair are first on the scene, so have to act fast.
0:07:13 > 0:07:17They already know from the call that the patient's heart has stopped,
0:07:17 > 0:07:19so Lucy needs to step up.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30While Lucy does chest compressions, a backup team arrive,
0:07:30 > 0:07:33and Alistair explains the situation.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45When we got there, I started CPR,
0:07:45 > 0:07:49while Alistair got the bag from the valve mask
0:07:49 > 0:07:52and started administering that and doing the airwaves.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00Administered things like adrenaline, drugs were given,
0:08:00 > 0:08:03obviously constantly checking
0:08:03 > 0:08:05the rhythm, the heart rhythm.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14When it gets to sort of 20, 30 minutes
0:08:14 > 0:08:17and there's no change in the rhythm, which there wasn't,
0:08:17 > 0:08:19everyone has to kind of make a call and agree.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24Unfortunately...
0:08:25 > 0:08:27..he passed away.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40Lucy will be assessed on how she dealt with the situation,
0:08:40 > 0:08:43but her eventual grade is the last thing on her mind.
0:08:43 > 0:08:47How do you feel, though, having done it?
0:08:47 > 0:08:49It's a bit surreal, really.
0:08:49 > 0:08:50I don't know.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54It's just a bit weird, that it just comes in the middle of everything.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57Everything's the same jobs, and then, all of a sudden, it's like...
0:08:57 > 0:08:59- Yeah, cardiac arrest, bang.- Boom!
0:08:59 > 0:09:02That happens, and then it'll be like you've got to go to the next job
0:09:02 > 0:09:05like nothing's happened, it's all kind of like...
0:09:05 > 0:09:07Yeah, or you could get another big cardiac arrest.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10- You don't know, I suppose. - Yeah, you just don't know.
0:09:10 > 0:09:15But unfortunately... we did everything we could,
0:09:15 > 0:09:19but it didn't make any difference, his heart had stopped,
0:09:19 > 0:09:21and there was no electrical activity
0:09:21 > 0:09:25- and obviously there was no change in that time.- No change, flatline.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30Yeah, so we stop.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34Do you remember the first time when you were in the same position as me?
0:09:34 > 0:09:35Yeah, I do, yeah.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39Like you say, it's a bit surreal...
0:09:39 > 0:09:44because you're used to doing it on dummies, basically, aren't you?
0:09:44 > 0:09:48- Doing it on a real person is really different. - A real person is very different.
0:09:49 > 0:09:53It's actually someone's life, it's not just...a mannequin.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56Yeah, that's it, it's someone's relative, isn't it?
0:09:56 > 0:09:58Scary stuff!
0:10:00 > 0:10:03With only two weeks left of their placements,
0:10:03 > 0:10:07the junior paramedics have little time to overcome any fears.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11Bryn is on placement in Northampton
0:10:11 > 0:10:14and still finds treating children a real challenge.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16BABY CRIES
0:10:16 > 0:10:18Look, who's that?
0:10:18 > 0:10:21'I find it really difficult to deal with children.'
0:10:21 > 0:10:24You walk in, a complete stranger, and you have to help this child,
0:10:24 > 0:10:27and some children are absolutely terrified of strangers.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29# I'm just happy that you're here... #
0:10:29 > 0:10:31BABY CRIES
0:10:33 > 0:10:37Quite a lot of them can't communicate what symptoms they have,
0:10:37 > 0:10:39'what's wrong with them, like, properly,
0:10:39 > 0:10:41'so it's quite difficult.'
0:10:41 > 0:10:44- Keep breathing with that, Alfie. - Alfie!
0:10:46 > 0:10:47I don't like it!
0:10:49 > 0:10:53The skills that you get trained for at university are generic skills
0:10:53 > 0:10:55'that you can apply to a lot of different people,
0:10:55 > 0:10:58'but applying them to children is one of the harder scenarios.'
0:10:59 > 0:11:01You don't like that, do you?
0:11:01 > 0:11:02It is a scary thing.
0:11:04 > 0:11:09Tonight, Bryn and mentor Charlotte are called to the home of a baby boy.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12This is his chance to impress and prove
0:11:12 > 0:11:16that he's overcome his nervousness when dealing with babies.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20He's been really chesty and congested for quite a while now,
0:11:20 > 0:11:23but now he's started to wheeze, and his chest is a bit stiff.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27- OK, it's going in when he's breathing?- Yeah.- OK.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29Basically, he's just been unsettled all night.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32He's normally a really good boy and he sleeps well
0:11:32 > 0:11:35and he settles down, but he's been awake since about 1.00pm this afternoon,
0:11:35 > 0:11:39- just crying and grizzling... - Oh, dear.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42But now you're better now everyone's come to see you.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44(How exciting!)
0:11:44 > 0:11:47The problem is with kids is they look really, really, really well,
0:11:47 > 0:11:49when actually they're really struggling to breathe,
0:11:49 > 0:11:52and when they start to act poorly is actually quite further on.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55Bryn knows that the more relaxed baby Nathan is,
0:11:55 > 0:12:00the easier it will be for the paramedics to do their job.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04- You have a play with that. - What's that?
0:12:04 > 0:12:07Look at those flashy lights!
0:12:07 > 0:12:09You want to play with everything, don't you?
0:12:09 > 0:12:11Oh, look out, buddy!
0:12:11 > 0:12:14His temperature was a bit high, it was 38.
0:12:14 > 0:12:15It was a bit high.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17Up a bit more.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19'In terms of taking observations, it's a matter of trying'
0:12:19 > 0:12:23to find a way to keep them distracted so you can do what you need to do.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27You are trying to escape already, aren't you?
0:12:27 > 0:12:28'I find it difficult'
0:12:28 > 0:12:31to actually just assess them and take observations from them,
0:12:31 > 0:12:34'because they won't sit still for you to take a heart rate,
0:12:34 > 0:12:36'which is really, really difficult to pick up.'
0:12:37 > 0:12:39BABY MAKES RHYTHMIC SOUNDS
0:12:39 > 0:12:41What noise was that?
0:12:41 > 0:12:42No?
0:12:44 > 0:12:47Getting an accurate heart rate on a baby comes with experience,
0:12:47 > 0:12:50and while Bryn's coped well so far,
0:12:50 > 0:12:53Charlotte's had to step in.
0:12:53 > 0:12:54160.
0:13:03 > 0:13:07Before they leave, Bryn needs to carry out one last observation.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10We'll take a scratch from his heel in a minute, as well.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13'One of the worst things, having to do a blood test
0:13:13 > 0:13:14'to find out blood sugar on a kid.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18'Don't do it on their finger, no, you go for their heel.'
0:13:18 > 0:13:21Even if they weren't crying before you went to see them, they will be
0:13:21 > 0:13:23once you leave, because you've just stabbed them in the foot.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25So it is really, really difficult,
0:13:25 > 0:13:27cos you literally cause that child quite a lot of pain.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30You're not going to like us very much now.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35- BABY CRIES - I am so sorry.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40Oh, that was nothing, really, was it?
0:13:40 > 0:13:43- How brave are you!- I thought he'd be more upset than that.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45He barely screamed or anything.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49Bryn carries it out with ease, even surprising himself.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52Bryn must have the magic touch.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54No! You haven't seen the others.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56- I'm normally hated for that. - Don't say that!
0:13:56 > 0:13:59I am, hated!
0:14:02 > 0:14:07- Don't worry about your boots. We don't do the laundry.- OK.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09'I was really surprised.'
0:14:09 > 0:14:12I thought, like every other child, he would scream the house down, but...
0:14:12 > 0:14:17nothing, there was a tiny sound that he made, and after that, he was fine.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20That's better, look at that.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27Yeah, I'm feeling more comfortable with kids.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30With the last couple, I stepped back, but it is one of those things,
0:14:30 > 0:14:33you have to get really involved with kids, so I think the more I push
0:14:33 > 0:14:36myself to get involved with kids, the more I'll benefit from it.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01It's a new day in Corby.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06A call has come in about a road traffic collision.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11Local girl Steph and mentor Sam are rushing to the scene.
0:15:12 > 0:15:16It's an RTC with a patient that's been knocked off their motorbike.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19Motorbikes account for just 1% of road traffic accidents
0:15:19 > 0:15:23but as many as a fifth of all fatalities.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26I think it probably will be quite serious.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30It's not very nice, motorbike accidents, because they've got no protection.
0:15:30 > 0:15:36It's not her first RTC, but this one might be a little bit too close to home.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39My brother has a motorbike and he works just there,
0:15:39 > 0:15:43so he would come along that road at this time,
0:15:43 > 0:15:45he starts at nine.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48I don't think it'll be my brother.
0:15:50 > 0:15:55- Looks like a bonnet on the floor there.- Oh, my God, I can see the foot.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58The team are not the first to arrive,
0:15:58 > 0:16:02but the patient is still in the road, trapped under his bike.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05It is a little bit scary, you go to this 17-year-old lying
0:16:05 > 0:16:09on the floor crushed between a car and a moped.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11The way they had hit looked horrendous.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14Just saw all this blood and I thought, "What is that from?"
0:16:19 > 0:16:21He's been hit by the car just there.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23Not sure if he was knocked out.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26Looks like he has had a bit of a nosebleed.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33Steph and Sam need to get the patient into the ambulance.
0:16:33 > 0:16:37We need to get the bike out of the way before we can measure it.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41It is critical that the bike is removed as soon as possible
0:16:41 > 0:16:43so they can start treating him.
0:16:43 > 0:16:44But it could make things worse,
0:16:44 > 0:16:47and they still don't know what injuries it could reveal.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50These are deceptively heavy.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53- We don't know what's going to be underneath there at all.- Yes.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58The paramedics are going to struggle to remove the bike.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01Can we call the fire crew, please?
0:17:03 > 0:17:05While they wait, Steph is given the critical task
0:17:05 > 0:17:07of supporting the patient's neck.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10Until they can assess the extent of the damage,
0:17:10 > 0:17:12it's vital that they keep him still.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17- What's your name?- Adam. - I'm Sam, and this is Steph.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19We'll take you to the hospital.
0:17:19 > 0:17:21We'll go on your guidance to move it.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23It's your back?
0:17:23 > 0:17:26I bet you're more gutted about your bike, aren't you?
0:17:27 > 0:17:32The patient's mum arrives, and for her and Adam's benefit,
0:17:32 > 0:17:34Steph plays it cool and stays focused.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38Was he going anywhere nice?
0:17:43 > 0:17:45I see.
0:17:45 > 0:17:46'You are just more scared than'
0:17:46 > 0:17:50the family member is that's watching the person in pain, but you
0:17:50 > 0:17:55have to put this hard exterior on
0:17:55 > 0:17:58and tell them that you're doing what you can.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03I think that's the fire brigade.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05We're going to get you out.
0:18:08 > 0:18:13- Hi.- We just need a hand. He's still sitting on the bike.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16- OK. I'll move that then we can see where...- Yeah.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20We'll start sliding the bike out,
0:18:20 > 0:18:23but if it becomes really uncomfortable,
0:18:23 > 0:18:28you need to let us know, and we'll stop and decide if we need do anything else, OK?
0:18:28 > 0:18:29- Just say stop.- Yeah.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32- OK.- Tell me if anything hurts.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35We'll hang on to your trousers. You won't lose them. OK?
0:18:37 > 0:18:39All right?
0:18:39 > 0:18:42Keep going. Keep going.
0:18:48 > 0:18:49Keep going.
0:18:52 > 0:18:56- We'll roll onto your back, OK?- Yep.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59I'm ready, yep. Ready, brace, roll.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04They can now properly assess his injuries.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07Any pain here? No pain at all?
0:19:07 > 0:19:10- Any pain on this leg?- No.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13- Both feel the same?- Yeah.- OK.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18Despite what initially seemed like a horrific scene,
0:19:18 > 0:19:23the patient escapes with minor cuts and bruises,
0:19:23 > 0:19:26much to his mum's relief.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33Very scared, because there is so many people around,
0:19:33 > 0:19:36you always think the worst, don't you?
0:19:36 > 0:19:41But once I spoke to them and actually saw Adam, I was a lot better.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45The paramedics have been fantastic, so have the police.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47So, they've put my mind at rest.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51I'm just waiting to see what the nurses say about him.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57It's every parent's worst nightmare, but Adam was lucky.
0:19:59 > 0:20:03Steph knows the outcome could have been very different for everyone.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06It looked a lot worse than it was, and you just think,
0:20:06 > 0:20:11"Oh, God, if that was my family member or my mum running up because
0:20:11 > 0:20:14"her son had an accident, it would be awful, really."
0:20:14 > 0:20:17It's quite scary.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30The junior paramedics have come a long way on placement.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34..chest and posterior to anterior, and that is sounding clear.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36There's no dull or high-pitched tones.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39Keeping calm under pressure...
0:20:39 > 0:20:42Just going to pop some oxygen on you.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44..and showing good bedside manner...
0:20:44 > 0:20:47I'm a Cockney from East London and I speak my mind.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49Do you do a good Michael Caine impression?
0:20:49 > 0:20:52I told you not to blow the bloody doors off!
0:20:52 > 0:20:55..are now all par for the course.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59- Thank you for all your efforts. - All right, mate, take care.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01I'd like to shake his hand, but I can't.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03It's all tied up.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08But with only two weeks left to go, they don't know
0:21:08 > 0:21:10what's around the corner.
0:21:10 > 0:21:14I think with every single patient that you end up going to,
0:21:14 > 0:21:16there is always an air of mystery
0:21:16 > 0:21:19and is it going to be a dangerous situation?
0:21:19 > 0:21:21I don't think it is the sort of career that
0:21:21 > 0:21:24you can learn everything at uni - you can never prepare
0:21:24 > 0:21:29for what we'll see and the different jobs that we'll go to.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33You have like a preconception in your mind and then
0:21:33 > 0:21:37you're presented with something that's actually worse and you think,
0:21:37 > 0:21:39"Wow! I didn't expect that."
0:21:44 > 0:21:47Nick and Mentor Johnny are four hours
0:21:47 > 0:21:49into a day shift in Leicester when they get
0:21:49 > 0:21:51a call to a patient who's attempted suicide.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06Have you just done your arm, Sally?
0:22:06 > 0:22:07Yeah.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10She suffers with depression and anxiety,
0:22:10 > 0:22:12and today she's badly cut her arm.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18My worst time is in the evening when I'm suicidal.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21Yeah, right.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24It was a bit of a shock.
0:22:24 > 0:22:28As a student, I didn't want to seem
0:22:28 > 0:22:31like it really did shock me
0:22:31 > 0:22:33or I couldn't handle it or anything like that.
0:22:33 > 0:22:37I think that's the most blood I've ever seen. It's everywhere!
0:22:42 > 0:22:46I know the policeman's done a beautiful job of bandaging your arm,
0:22:46 > 0:22:50but we'll have to take it off to have a look at what you've done.
0:22:53 > 0:22:58Right, Nick, do you want to open a packet of swabs...
0:22:58 > 0:23:03and there's one of those pods underneath...in here.
0:23:03 > 0:23:07Oh, right. Just one or two?
0:23:07 > 0:23:09Just one.
0:23:11 > 0:23:15One in four British adults suffer from mental health problems,
0:23:15 > 0:23:17so even though it's tough,
0:23:17 > 0:23:20Nick needs to learn how to cope with this part of the job.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28It was difficult to actually remain
0:23:28 > 0:23:31calm in that situation,
0:23:31 > 0:23:35being as that's the first ever time I've ever been in the situation
0:23:35 > 0:23:39with that much...amount of blood
0:23:39 > 0:23:40has been around.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49You can read about mental health and attempted suicide all you like,
0:23:49 > 0:23:54but I don't think any text book can teach you how to talk to somebody.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57That is something you pick up actually doing the job.
0:24:00 > 0:24:06The team needs to work out if the patient is still a danger to herself.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09Will you be all right on your own?
0:24:11 > 0:24:12We are here to help.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21It takes a lot to admit to that.
0:24:21 > 0:24:25We don't want you in that position, we don't want you feeling like that.
0:24:27 > 0:24:28We'll get there.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48It is sad
0:24:48 > 0:24:54to see that somebody has suffered mentally,
0:24:54 > 0:24:59and to an extent actually where they've had to harm themselves,
0:24:59 > 0:25:02but it's not always straightforward, erm,
0:25:02 > 0:25:05to actually fix them, because you can fix, you know,
0:25:05 > 0:25:09their wounds or anything like that, but you can't actually
0:25:09 > 0:25:13necessarily fix what's happening in their head straightaway.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16What I'll do, then, I'll make that referral.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20We'll try our best to get you the help you need when you need it.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23The girls know all about it, so I'll let the hospital know
0:25:23 > 0:25:25when you get there, all right? Take care of yourself.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27Thanks.
0:25:33 > 0:25:37It's sometimes hard to put yourself in their situation,
0:25:37 > 0:25:42having never actually personally felt like that myself.
0:25:42 > 0:25:46I-I find it hard to put myself in that situation,
0:25:46 > 0:25:52where I'd want to hurt myself so much, I think. So, yeah.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05Although the junior paramedics have their mentors on hand for support
0:26:05 > 0:26:09on placement, nothing beats a supportive family back at home.
0:26:10 > 0:26:15- Have you only just got back? - Yep. Well, no, this morning.
0:26:15 > 0:26:17I've been sleeping all day. THEY LAUGH
0:26:17 > 0:26:19Well, that's normal, then, isn't it?
0:26:19 > 0:26:22Yeah, pretty normal. I'm shattered, though.
0:26:22 > 0:26:26Lucy Mellor is lucky enough to have someone who understands
0:26:26 > 0:26:28some of what she's going through,
0:26:28 > 0:26:32and she's visiting her dad, who's a GP in nearby Derby.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35What was it like when you first got called to the cardiac arrest,
0:26:35 > 0:26:37or the collapse, and you had to do CPR?
0:26:37 > 0:26:40When we first got there, it was just me and Alistair, and he kind of...
0:26:40 > 0:26:43It was the first thing we've got to that was sort of time critical.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46He went into like a different mode I've not seen in him before,
0:26:46 > 0:26:48he just sort of got the patient on the floor,
0:26:48 > 0:26:52cut his top off and just went, "Give CPR and I'll get oxygen."
0:26:52 > 0:26:54- And it was like, "Whoa!" - Were you not scared?- Yeah.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57At first, when Alistair just turned round and went,
0:26:57 > 0:26:58"Do you want to do some CPR for me?"
0:26:58 > 0:27:01there was a moment where I just thought, "I'm leaving.
0:27:01 > 0:27:02"I don't like it!"
0:27:02 > 0:27:05I've been seeing people in those sorts of situations,
0:27:05 > 0:27:08but I'd been training for five years when I did it.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10I think it's quite scary stuff, though, for you.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12I think it's quite...fast.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15I don't know, though, cos the situation is so fast
0:27:15 > 0:27:17that the adrenaline kind of takes over a little bit.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19At first, you're like, "Oh, my God, what's going on?"
0:27:19 > 0:27:21but then you instantly just forget.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23Then the paramedics are going, "Why would we do this?"
0:27:23 > 0:27:27They were asking me questions while we were doing it, like, teaching me.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30But do you think you can cope with it mentally afterwards?
0:27:30 > 0:27:33I mean, it's like every situation's different, isn't it?
0:27:33 > 0:27:35Some people will be more bothered by a situation like that,
0:27:35 > 0:27:39but there are other situations that people would be more bothered about.
0:27:39 > 0:27:41Like, it just depends what affects you differently.
0:27:41 > 0:27:45You're with a lot of sad people and sad situations, aren't you?
0:27:45 > 0:27:47I think it's stressful.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50You can't attach yourself to every single person,
0:27:50 > 0:27:53cos you're not emotionally connected, are you? So...
0:27:53 > 0:27:57No, but a lot of people who work in what I do and what you're doing
0:27:57 > 0:27:59do get quite emotionally involved,
0:27:59 > 0:28:01and it's something you've got to avoid, really.
0:28:03 > 0:28:05SIREN WAILS
0:28:06 > 0:28:10Not all the 999 call outs the junior paramedics go to
0:28:10 > 0:28:15are patients who need urgent medical care.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18'You obviously get pre-warned that only the 10% of calls'
0:28:18 > 0:28:21are traumatic and life-threatening and serious.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24But obviously going on placement does bring home
0:28:24 > 0:28:27just how many we go to that are, like, you know,
0:28:27 > 0:28:30chest infections, anxiety, falls,
0:28:30 > 0:28:32and it's one after another.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37One type of non-emergency call out the junior paramedics
0:28:37 > 0:28:40are experiencing are "the regulars" -
0:28:40 > 0:28:43people who often call for emergency assistance,
0:28:43 > 0:28:45even when they don't really need it.
0:28:47 > 0:28:49Hello?
0:28:50 > 0:28:52Ah, yes, I have been here before.
0:28:52 > 0:28:53On shift in Leicester,
0:28:53 > 0:28:56junior paramedic Vic is with mentor George.
0:28:56 > 0:28:58What's the problem, what have you called for?
0:29:01 > 0:29:02- What your hernia is?- Yeah.
0:29:02 > 0:29:04Show me where your pain is in your tummy.
0:29:10 > 0:29:12Although the patient's condition looks alarming,
0:29:12 > 0:29:14it isn't an actual emergency.
0:29:15 > 0:29:17Sharp scratch.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19Have you spoken to your GP?
0:29:25 > 0:29:28Do you want to go Leicester Royal Infirmary?
0:29:29 > 0:29:30OK.
0:29:30 > 0:29:32How are you on your feet?
0:29:32 > 0:29:35Because you go out, don't you?
0:29:35 > 0:29:37Right. So you can stand on your feet, then?
0:29:39 > 0:29:42They suspect that Ronald might just want a lift to the hospital.
0:29:42 > 0:29:44Cos you're relatively independent, then,
0:29:44 > 0:29:46if you do all your shopping and stuff?
0:29:50 > 0:29:53George makes a call to non-emergency transport.
0:29:53 > 0:29:54Hiya, it's George.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57I've got a job at Cliffstone House, if you're available?
0:29:57 > 0:30:00He walks with a stick and he says he can manage
0:30:00 > 0:30:03to go down the stairs and get down into the ambulance.
0:30:03 > 0:30:04Thank you very much.
0:30:04 > 0:30:07I've just arranged the transport for you, Donal...Ronald.
0:30:07 > 0:30:08- Ronald! Not Donald!- Ronald McDonald!
0:30:08 > 0:30:10Yeah, so she'll be here.
0:30:10 > 0:30:13She's just dropping someone off at the Royal, Donna,
0:30:13 > 0:30:16and then she'll be coming straight after that, so within half an hour.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22Well, that's all the room we've got!
0:30:22 > 0:30:24They shouldn't be long, anyway,
0:30:24 > 0:30:27then they can come and take you down, and you can see somebody.
0:30:27 > 0:30:28Put your top on.
0:30:28 > 0:30:32'He's quite capable of looking after himself. He just'
0:30:32 > 0:30:36isn't 100% steady on his feet, but he goes shopping for himself.
0:30:38 > 0:30:40My grandad used to have one like that.
0:30:41 > 0:30:43Oh, gosh.
0:30:43 > 0:30:45I don't know... £5?
0:30:48 > 0:30:50- Wow!- 20p.
0:30:50 > 0:30:52'He's with it, he knows what's happening,'
0:30:52 > 0:30:56and what calling the ambulance involves and stuff like that.
0:30:56 > 0:30:57'So...'
0:30:57 > 0:31:01But before Vic and mentor George head off, there's one last job.
0:31:05 > 0:31:06Yeah.
0:31:07 > 0:31:09Big push.
0:31:09 > 0:31:13And, of course, this one is the junior's responsibility.
0:31:14 > 0:31:15- Is that in?- Yeah.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17- OK?- See you.- See you.
0:31:17 > 0:31:18- Bye-bye.- Bye.
0:31:19 > 0:31:21So that was your first regular?
0:31:21 > 0:31:23He was nice, he was pleasant enough, wasn't he?
0:31:23 > 0:31:25He was, yeah.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28He's interesting, he's got lots of interesting things to say.
0:31:28 > 0:31:29All his birds and things.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32Vic and George leave Ronald to it for now,
0:31:32 > 0:31:35but they know that, one day, they might be back.
0:31:35 > 0:31:37We do get lots of calls from people who are lonely,
0:31:37 > 0:31:40and it becomes like a pattern of behaviour
0:31:40 > 0:31:43to ring ambulances and then,
0:31:43 > 0:31:48you know, go to the hospital and see the people there,
0:31:48 > 0:31:51and they become like, erm, friends.
0:31:51 > 0:31:54It's like their social sort of...
0:31:54 > 0:31:56circle, if you like.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04The majority of cases the junior paramedics
0:32:04 > 0:32:06are called out to involve elderly patients.
0:32:06 > 0:32:09They're learning that it's the bread and butter
0:32:09 > 0:32:11of the Ambulance Service's work.
0:32:13 > 0:32:16Bryn is with mentor Charlotte in Northampton.
0:32:16 > 0:32:18He's just started a night shift.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30'Police are on scene, over.'
0:32:30 > 0:32:33Yeah, not a problem, thanks ever so much.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39Although he's used to dealing with lots of cases
0:32:39 > 0:32:41involving old people, nothing could have prepared
0:32:41 > 0:32:45junior paramedic Bryn for a recent tragedy in his own life.
0:32:45 > 0:32:48It's been really, really hard for my family,
0:32:48 > 0:32:51because not only did we lose my grandpa,
0:32:51 > 0:32:54basically, at the weekend, we lost my grandma as well.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03My grandmother suffered from Alzheimer's for ten years,
0:33:03 > 0:33:09and my grandpa had chronic liver failure and lung cancer.
0:33:09 > 0:33:11It will always be there in my mind,
0:33:11 > 0:33:14the fact I've lost two grandparents in one week.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17I think, from a paramedic point of view,
0:33:17 > 0:33:19I'll take my own personal experiences with me
0:33:19 > 0:33:22and I'll be able to sympathise more for that patient.
0:33:27 > 0:33:30On arrival, the police are already at the scene,
0:33:30 > 0:33:33because the patient has fallen and used his emergency alarm.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44Where are we? Oh, here's the stairs.
0:33:45 > 0:33:47Hello, what's been going on?
0:33:50 > 0:33:52You fell over? OK.
0:33:52 > 0:33:54Have you got any family or anything?
0:33:54 > 0:33:56No family at all?
0:33:56 > 0:33:58No-one anywhere near.
0:34:03 > 0:34:05So you're on your own?
0:34:08 > 0:34:12The patient has recently been discharged from hospital.
0:34:12 > 0:34:15I'm just going to take your temperature quickly.
0:34:15 > 0:34:18And when did you come out of hospital?
0:34:18 > 0:34:20Today.
0:34:20 > 0:34:22While Bryn carries out his observations,
0:34:22 > 0:34:25Charlotte looks at the patient's hospital notes
0:34:25 > 0:34:28and realises that something doesn't quite add up.
0:34:28 > 0:34:32By the documentation we've got, it says that you didn't come out
0:34:32 > 0:34:35today, you came out a couple of days ago.
0:34:36 > 0:34:37Yeah.
0:34:39 > 0:34:41The inconsistency in the patient's story
0:34:41 > 0:34:44means that the paramedics have to dig deeper.
0:34:44 > 0:34:46Have you made yourself dinner tonight?
0:34:46 > 0:34:48You haven't, so you haven't eaten this evening?
0:34:48 > 0:34:50Have you eaten anything today at all?
0:34:50 > 0:34:52You have?
0:34:54 > 0:34:56Hospital food?
0:34:57 > 0:35:01But if you didn't come out of hospital for quite a while,
0:35:01 > 0:35:03cos you've been here for a couple of days,
0:35:03 > 0:35:05so what food have you eaten?
0:35:05 > 0:35:07Or have you not made yourself anything?
0:35:09 > 0:35:13Having checked him over, Bryn can't find anything
0:35:13 > 0:35:19physically wrong with the patient, but Charlotte still has concerns.
0:35:19 > 0:35:23I think it's going to be in your benefit to go back to hospital.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26You've told me you came out of hospital today.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29I don't feel safe leaving you here on your own at the moment.
0:35:37 > 0:35:41I'm trying to get in contact with somebody for some advice.
0:35:41 > 0:35:43She's just going to have a word with the doctor
0:35:43 > 0:35:45and see what the best thing to do is.
0:35:48 > 0:35:50To stay here?
0:35:50 > 0:35:53I'm really stuck, I need some help.
0:35:53 > 0:35:57I'm massively, massively concerned. It's very, very cold in here.
0:35:57 > 0:36:00He's refusing point blank to go to hospital, does not want to go.
0:36:00 > 0:36:02I don't know what to do.
0:36:02 > 0:36:05'It's difficult coming to a house where, you know,'
0:36:05 > 0:36:07there's not a lot medically we can really do for him.
0:36:07 > 0:36:09It's a real social situation,
0:36:09 > 0:36:11and they're the ones you feel so helpless in.
0:36:11 > 0:36:13Because I've done some observations,
0:36:13 > 0:36:15and his observations are kind of all right.
0:36:15 > 0:36:18We don't just want to leave him here by himself in a house where
0:36:18 > 0:36:22all of the heating is switched off and it's minus degrees outside.
0:36:22 > 0:36:24You know, it's almost the same temperature in there.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29He hasn't, no, but then I can't drag somebody out of their house.
0:36:29 > 0:36:33While Charlotte is on the phone seeking a second opinion,
0:36:33 > 0:36:35Bryn puts his bedside manner into practice.
0:36:37 > 0:36:40My brother plays for the Academy in the Saints,
0:36:40 > 0:36:42so he goes down there a little bit, but, erm...
0:36:45 > 0:36:47Oh, was he? Of the Saints?
0:36:47 > 0:36:48Yeah.
0:36:48 > 0:36:50'When you're talking to somebody,
0:36:50 > 0:36:52'it's not really something that you can be taught,'
0:36:52 > 0:36:54it's something you have to pick up on the job.
0:36:54 > 0:36:57It's quite interesting, really, cos it definitely shows the importance
0:36:57 > 0:37:00of going on to placement, to be able to pick up that side of the job.
0:37:02 > 0:37:03The doctor's coming out right now.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06He's dropped all his appointments to come.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09He's passed off some of his appointments to other doctors
0:37:09 > 0:37:11so he can come and see you.
0:37:11 > 0:37:13- You are important. - A very special service.
0:37:13 > 0:37:15So we'll wait for him.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19The doctor arrives and further assesses the patient
0:37:19 > 0:37:21and backs Charlotte up.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24It's quite difficult when people are refusing to go to hospital
0:37:24 > 0:37:27and they're in this social environment, it's a bit tricky.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29But now the doctor's been, he's, somehow,
0:37:29 > 0:37:32magically convinced him to actually go to hospital,
0:37:32 > 0:37:34'which is really, really good.'
0:37:34 > 0:37:35How are you getting up?
0:37:36 > 0:37:38Yeah, of course I am.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42I'm helping you, as well, darling.
0:37:42 > 0:37:43THEY LAUGH
0:37:43 > 0:37:45Aw, she is, isn't she? I know.
0:37:46 > 0:37:50While Charlotte hands over to the ambulance crew...
0:37:50 > 0:37:52It's just taken us this long to persuade him to go,
0:37:52 > 0:37:54we've been here for hours.
0:37:54 > 0:37:55So he's upstairs?
0:37:55 > 0:37:58..Bryn thinks ahead and gathers some essentials.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01Right, I'll put you some bits in here,
0:38:01 > 0:38:04just some extra clothes, take with you.
0:38:04 > 0:38:06Keep your hands in, darling.
0:38:06 > 0:38:10Keep your hands in, because you balance the chair that way.
0:38:10 > 0:38:12That's your job.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15'I know from speaking to my grandpa, it was really nice,
0:38:15 > 0:38:18'because I know how proud he was of me for coming and doing this career.
0:38:18 > 0:38:19'I know that he'd want me'
0:38:19 > 0:38:22to carry on going out and trying to help as many people as I can.
0:38:35 > 0:38:38Following last night, Bryn has been thinking about his family
0:38:38 > 0:38:42and decides to pay them a visit in Bedfordshire.
0:38:42 > 0:38:44- Hello, hi.- Hello!
0:38:44 > 0:38:47- How's it going?- I'm all right.
0:38:47 > 0:38:49- You well?- Yes, I'm well. Are you?- Yeah.
0:38:49 > 0:38:53The junior paramedics all need their families sometimes.
0:38:53 > 0:38:57- Hi!- Hello!- How are you?- I'm fine.
0:38:57 > 0:38:59- Hello.- Come on straight in.
0:38:59 > 0:39:04Being at university in Northampton and on gruelling placements
0:39:04 > 0:39:07means they don't get to see them as often as they'd like.
0:39:08 > 0:39:10I am starting to miss home a bit.
0:39:10 > 0:39:14It's strange, because I never thought I would be the type to miss home,
0:39:14 > 0:39:17but I think the longer I'm away from home, the more I do miss it.
0:39:20 > 0:39:22'It is nice to be just go home and chill out,
0:39:22 > 0:39:24'because it just feels a bit normal'
0:39:24 > 0:39:28when you go home, see your family and friends and girlfriend.
0:39:29 > 0:39:34I saw my grandparents every single day prior to coming to university,
0:39:34 > 0:39:37so it's been quite tough, because it's a strong bond.
0:39:40 > 0:39:41Vic has a rare weekend off
0:39:41 > 0:39:45and has gone home to Stoke, where her nan is waiting.
0:39:46 > 0:39:51My nan does miss me. You know, she tells me often that she misses me.
0:39:51 > 0:39:58And I do feel bad that I can't kind of go round every week like I used to.
0:39:59 > 0:40:01- Hello.- Hello.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09Do you want a brew first, and then we'll get pizzas in?
0:40:09 > 0:40:11I'll make it.
0:40:11 > 0:40:14The kettle's boiled. Well, I boiled it once.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17As Vic's placement in Leicester is over 60 miles away,
0:40:17 > 0:40:20it has made it more difficult for her to visit her nan
0:40:20 > 0:40:22as regularly as they are both used to.
0:40:22 > 0:40:26I rung your mother, asking where you were.
0:40:26 > 0:40:28She says you'd be a bit late.
0:40:28 > 0:40:30I told you I was going to be a bit late.
0:40:30 > 0:40:34- I know, but you said about 20 minutes.- Did I?- Yeah.
0:40:34 > 0:40:39Her nan misses her and likes to know where she is and what she's up to.
0:40:39 > 0:40:40How's it all going?
0:40:42 > 0:40:44Yeah, it's good, enjoying it.
0:40:44 > 0:40:46Is it what you thought it was going to be?
0:40:48 > 0:40:50Yeah.
0:40:50 > 0:40:52That doesn't seem a very good yes.
0:40:52 > 0:40:57No, because it's a lot of picking people up off the floor, anxiety...
0:40:57 > 0:41:0190% of the job is going to people that are worrying
0:41:01 > 0:41:03and people that have fallen.
0:41:03 > 0:41:07But I know that, like, there's a dead small proportion
0:41:07 > 0:41:09that's the emergency side.
0:41:09 > 0:41:12Why do you want to be in the middle of everything?
0:41:12 > 0:41:16- Because that's the excitement.- Oh.
0:41:16 > 0:41:17I'm saying nothing about that.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19I can find better things to excite me!
0:41:19 > 0:41:20THEY LAUGH
0:41:24 > 0:41:26Well, you do looked tired.
0:41:28 > 0:41:30I've done quite a few hours this week, so...
0:41:30 > 0:41:32Don't they give you time to go to sleep?
0:41:32 > 0:41:37I've done five days in a row this week, so that's the only reason.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40So I'm on my two days off now. That's why I squeezed you in.
0:41:40 > 0:41:43Don't squeeze me in, don't put yourself out!
0:41:43 > 0:41:45I'm not putting myself out, I want to come see you.
0:41:45 > 0:41:47I say that every time.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50- I don't see nobody else, duck. I miss you.- I know you do.
0:41:50 > 0:41:53You're always on top of my priority when I come home,
0:41:53 > 0:41:54so you can't complain.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57Yes, but I like loving you and talking to you.
0:41:57 > 0:41:59Because only you comes.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01I do miss your grandad, although you think I don't.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03No, I know you miss him.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06Just got to get used to it, and I can't.
0:42:08 > 0:42:10'Like, I've lost my grandad recently,
0:42:10 > 0:42:13'but supporting my nan through it was quite...'
0:42:13 > 0:42:16Well, she's a handful anyway, so it's quite tough.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20'But, yeah, it's just being there for her
0:42:20 > 0:42:23'and supporting her now she's on her own, so...'
0:42:23 > 0:42:26Believe me, some of the people I've seen have got nothing,
0:42:26 > 0:42:27absolutely nothing.
0:42:27 > 0:42:31So you need to appreciate that you've got people that do come up,
0:42:31 > 0:42:33even if it is for a few hours.
0:42:43 > 0:42:46As Vic earns valuable brownie points
0:42:46 > 0:42:49in the dutiful granddaughter stakes, over in Leicester...
0:42:52 > 0:42:54..Lucy is about to earn her stripes
0:42:54 > 0:42:56by dealing with her most volatile patient yet.
0:42:56 > 0:42:58Yeah, you are all clear.
0:42:58 > 0:43:03We're going to see someone who's fallen who is now unconscious.
0:43:03 > 0:43:05She's on her way to her next call.
0:43:05 > 0:43:08It's a drunk man in one of the city's homeless hostels.
0:43:08 > 0:43:11With drunk patients, you do feel vulnerable, as in they are very...
0:43:11 > 0:43:14You know, you don't know what they're going to do,
0:43:14 > 0:43:16you don't know if they're going to be violent,
0:43:16 > 0:43:19and it's really, really, like, scary to be with them
0:43:19 > 0:43:20in such a small space, as well.
0:43:23 > 0:43:25Don't do that!
0:43:25 > 0:43:26Right, wake up for us, then.
0:43:26 > 0:43:28Are you going to sit up? What's happened?
0:43:28 > 0:43:29What's happened?
0:43:29 > 0:43:33Lucy stands back and learns from mentor Natalie.
0:43:34 > 0:43:35It's all right.
0:43:35 > 0:43:37You need to speak to us. Come on. Hello.
0:43:37 > 0:43:41- Don't do that.- Don't you up your fist up to us.
0:43:41 > 0:43:42Behave.
0:43:42 > 0:43:44All right.
0:43:44 > 0:43:45HE MUMBLES
0:43:45 > 0:43:49Have you been drinking? Have you had a bit to drink? No?
0:43:49 > 0:43:51- No? Good. - HE MUMBLES
0:43:51 > 0:43:53You wish you did!
0:44:08 > 0:44:10Can you hear me? Listen to me.
0:44:10 > 0:44:13- Do you want to take the head? And we can pull him down.- Yeah.
0:44:15 > 0:44:18Lucy has the important job of making sure the patient
0:44:18 > 0:44:21doesn't injure himself further by holding his neck,
0:44:21 > 0:44:23which puts her in harm's way.
0:44:25 > 0:44:29This is the bit where we're going to pop you on this spinal board, OK?
0:44:29 > 0:44:32Another team of paramedics arrive to assist
0:44:32 > 0:44:34and to help get him to the ambulance.
0:44:34 > 0:44:36Relax your head down. Relax your head down.
0:44:36 > 0:44:38Right, we're just going to slide you, just on here
0:44:38 > 0:44:41so we can get you down the stairs.
0:44:41 > 0:44:42Ready, steady, slide.
0:44:46 > 0:44:48- Brilliant.- Good team!
0:44:48 > 0:44:51With tight corridors and stairs to navigate,
0:44:51 > 0:44:54it's a difficult enough job without the patient kicking off.
0:44:54 > 0:44:57- BLEEP - Right, hands in. Just get him down.
0:44:57 > 0:45:01Lucy keeps her distance...
0:45:01 > 0:45:03Let go, let go.
0:45:03 > 0:45:06..but she knows, when they get him on the ambulance,
0:45:06 > 0:45:08she will have to get closer and help to assess him.
0:45:08 > 0:45:10That was really, really dangerous.
0:45:10 > 0:45:12We could have all fallen down the stairs there,
0:45:12 > 0:45:14We're doing this...
0:45:14 > 0:45:16HE MUTTERS
0:45:16 > 0:45:18Do not put your hands out to us, OK?
0:45:18 > 0:45:21We are trying to help you, so you need to calm down.
0:45:21 > 0:45:25If you do not calm down we are going to have to get the police here, OK?
0:45:26 > 0:45:29It's quite scary, because things can easily spiral out of control.
0:45:29 > 0:45:32So that's, for me, the most vulnerable part of it.
0:45:32 > 0:45:34Especially as a woman, as well -
0:45:34 > 0:45:38you've got a lot of big men, it's really scary and vulnerable.
0:45:39 > 0:45:42OK, on three. One, two, three.
0:45:42 > 0:45:44Lovely.
0:45:45 > 0:45:51Now he's on the ambulance, Lucy can finally take some observations.
0:45:51 > 0:45:53OK. I'm just going to look at your pupils.
0:45:53 > 0:45:55But he's a tricky customer,
0:45:55 > 0:45:58so she's going to have to keep her wits about her.
0:45:58 > 0:46:01Slightly dilated.
0:46:01 > 0:46:05- Yeah. What size? - I'd say...six.
0:46:05 > 0:46:10- But that's quite normal in people that are intoxicated.- Yeah.
0:46:14 > 0:46:17HE MUTTERS
0:46:17 > 0:46:19Oh, come on, man!
0:46:19 > 0:46:22I can't understand you. Sorry.
0:46:22 > 0:46:24BLEEP
0:46:29 > 0:46:31Despite the man's best efforts
0:46:31 > 0:46:33to scupper the paramedics doing their job,
0:46:33 > 0:46:36they manage to get him to hospital safely...
0:46:36 > 0:46:38but only for a few minutes.
0:46:40 > 0:46:44- We were on the scene 50 minutes? - Yeah.- So two ambulances,
0:46:44 > 0:46:49- on-scene time 50 mins, putting ourselves...- At risk on the stairs.
0:46:49 > 0:46:52At risk on the stairs, and I don't know if you saw,
0:46:52 > 0:46:55but he literally left after two minutes.
0:46:55 > 0:46:56- I saw him walk out.- Yeah.
0:46:56 > 0:46:59And then light up a cigarette and just sit there.
0:47:03 > 0:47:06There's nothing more you can do when someone does something like that,
0:47:06 > 0:47:09so you just accept it. You do feel a bit annoyed,
0:47:09 > 0:47:12because you and the other resources have been taken up.
0:47:17 > 0:47:21So it was kind of a time-waster, but at least we did all we could.
0:47:26 > 0:47:31Junior paramedic Amy is just starting her shift in Northampton.
0:47:31 > 0:47:32It's Saturday night.
0:47:32 > 0:47:34I go out on the weekend, I have fun,
0:47:34 > 0:47:36let my hair down, it's nice to go out with my friends.
0:47:36 > 0:47:41But I'm quite sensible, and I know when I've had too much to drink.
0:47:43 > 0:47:47But she's learning that not everyone knows their limits.
0:47:47 > 0:47:49She was leathered, wasn't she?
0:47:49 > 0:47:52Did you see that top she was wearing as well?
0:47:52 > 0:47:55- Her boobs were practically out of it.- What was she wearing? - Horrendous.
0:47:55 > 0:47:57There was nothing on her.
0:47:57 > 0:48:00It was a really tiny skirt, and I could see her knickers -
0:48:00 > 0:48:05it just makes yourself look embarrassing going out like that.
0:48:08 > 0:48:10Amy and Shay are called out to a man
0:48:10 > 0:48:12that has been found lying in the street.
0:48:12 > 0:48:13Hello.
0:48:16 > 0:48:18Do you know him?
0:48:18 > 0:48:19He's breathing, do you think?
0:48:21 > 0:48:22- He's snoring.- Aw.
0:48:26 > 0:48:29We'll grab our stuff and go and have a look, then. No worries.
0:48:29 > 0:48:32Just a random passer-by has just found somebody
0:48:32 > 0:48:37sort of snoring away on the kerb, which is quite strange.
0:48:37 > 0:48:40But it is Saturday night, so anything could happen.
0:48:42 > 0:48:43Hello?
0:48:45 > 0:48:46Hello?
0:48:46 > 0:48:48Just mind yourself.
0:48:48 > 0:48:55It's the ambulance, the paramedics - can you wake up?
0:48:56 > 0:48:58Open your eyes.
0:48:58 > 0:49:00I don't know if he's been drinking or not,
0:49:00 > 0:49:03it's hard to tell outside if he smells of it.
0:49:03 > 0:49:06Can't believe he's sleeping in this cold.
0:49:06 > 0:49:09We'll need to check him. I'll get a crew to come.
0:49:11 > 0:49:13Hello!
0:49:13 > 0:49:16It's the ambulance, how are you feeling?
0:49:16 > 0:49:19- Do you speak English?- Yeah.
0:49:19 > 0:49:21What's happened tonight?
0:49:21 > 0:49:23Why are you on the floor?
0:49:24 > 0:49:27Why are you lying on the pavement?
0:49:27 > 0:49:28What?
0:49:28 > 0:49:31Have you been drinking alcohol?
0:49:31 > 0:49:33HE MUTTERS
0:49:33 > 0:49:34Vodka? Nothing?
0:49:34 > 0:49:38Have you been taking drugs? Anything?
0:49:38 > 0:49:40Have you been assaulted?
0:49:41 > 0:49:43Do you have any pain anywhere?
0:49:44 > 0:49:46HE MUTTERS
0:49:47 > 0:49:50Well, he's responding, but I can't tell
0:49:50 > 0:49:55whether he's been assaulted or he's intoxicated or on drugs.
0:49:55 > 0:49:57Just borrow your arm a minute.
0:50:03 > 0:50:06I need to take some blood from your finger.
0:50:06 > 0:50:11- No good.- What's no good? Can we take some blood from your finger?
0:50:11 > 0:50:15Can we test your sugar? Can I prick your finger?
0:50:17 > 0:50:22- Strange.- Just wait there, just wait there. Mind yourself.
0:50:25 > 0:50:27I think we need to make sure you're OK.
0:50:32 > 0:50:34We need to make sure you're OK.
0:50:38 > 0:50:40How do you feel, do you feel OK?
0:50:40 > 0:50:42You look a bit wobbly. Don't fall!
0:50:44 > 0:50:49When he regains consciousness, he only has eyes for Amy.
0:50:50 > 0:50:53- Amy?- Amy. - Nice to meet you.
0:50:53 > 0:50:55Amy's number?
0:50:55 > 0:50:57Amy's number? No.
0:50:57 > 0:50:59No number?
0:50:59 > 0:51:01No number.
0:51:01 > 0:51:04No number, no, Amy has a boyfriend.
0:51:04 > 0:51:07- Boyfriend?- Yes.
0:51:12 > 0:51:14'This strange person who had been
0:51:14 > 0:51:18'sleeping on the street for some bizarre reason'
0:51:18 > 0:51:20took a little shine to us,
0:51:20 > 0:51:24and I'm not sure if I took a shine to him...at all.
0:51:26 > 0:51:29- Friend.- You want to be a good friend of Amy's?
0:51:29 > 0:51:31Strong.
0:51:31 > 0:51:33- You are strong, I know that.- Amy.
0:51:33 > 0:51:36- She's got a nice smile. - Yeah, it's good.
0:51:36 > 0:51:39Yeah, it's good, beautiful.
0:51:41 > 0:51:44It made us feel uncomfortable. I just wanted to run away
0:51:44 > 0:51:46when he started being all like that.
0:51:46 > 0:51:48Take care.
0:51:48 > 0:51:49Goodbye.
0:51:51 > 0:51:53No!
0:51:53 > 0:51:54No, thank you.
0:51:56 > 0:51:58She's very shy.
0:51:58 > 0:52:00Very shy.
0:52:00 > 0:52:02'I think it is jobs like this that make us wonder'
0:52:02 > 0:52:06whether I really want to be on the car by myself.
0:52:06 > 0:52:09I think that could have been a bit different
0:52:09 > 0:52:14if I was by myself. It's just very strange.
0:52:18 > 0:52:22That was the bizarrest thing I've ever seen!
0:52:23 > 0:52:25What was going on there?
0:52:25 > 0:52:28I can't believe you didn't give him your number.
0:52:38 > 0:52:42And it's not just a date that Amy's missing out on.
0:52:42 > 0:52:46Some of the other junior paramedics are getting together for a curry
0:52:46 > 0:52:48and they're reflecting on their last few weeks.
0:52:48 > 0:52:51How do you feel, coming to the end of your placement?
0:52:51 > 0:52:54A bit gutted - I wish we could carry on with it.
0:52:54 > 0:52:55I don't want to go back to uni.
0:52:55 > 0:52:58I kind of do want to go back, but kind of don't. I want to learn more.
0:52:58 > 0:53:01- I know it's going to be so hard when we go back.- I know.
0:53:01 > 0:53:05I don't want to finish placement, but I'll be glad to get some sleep.
0:53:05 > 0:53:07I feel, when I'm driving in the morning,
0:53:07 > 0:53:09I have to pull over and slap myself a bit.
0:53:09 > 0:53:11Yeah, when you've finished your shift
0:53:11 > 0:53:14and driving back after those 12 hours, I'm like falling asleep.
0:53:14 > 0:53:17I always panic, "Do I eat or do I sleep?"
0:53:17 > 0:53:18I just sing, full blast!
0:53:18 > 0:53:20THEY LAUGH
0:53:20 > 0:53:23I can just imagine, I don't know why, but Mamma Mia.
0:53:27 > 0:53:31Do you think you've changed and developed through your placement?
0:53:31 > 0:53:35- I think I've learned a lot.- I think I've become more confident.
0:53:35 > 0:53:38- Definitely.- I thought before that two years seemed a really short
0:53:38 > 0:53:41period of time to learn everything we needed to learn
0:53:41 > 0:53:43and to be trained as a qualified paramedic,
0:53:43 > 0:53:46but seeing how much you've learnt in five, six weeks...
0:53:46 > 0:53:49It scares me to think how much we've got to learn, though.
0:53:49 > 0:53:52Yeah, but think how much you have learnt in such a short time.
0:53:52 > 0:53:55I know, but when you look at the bigger picture over the two years,
0:53:55 > 0:53:58I think it is quite daunting.
0:53:58 > 0:54:01I think it's going to be strange when we're qualified
0:54:01 > 0:54:04and you haven't got that person to kind of turn round to,
0:54:04 > 0:54:07because ECGs, you just hand them straight to your mentor.
0:54:07 > 0:54:11I just look at them and think, "What the BLEEP am I looking at here?
0:54:11 > 0:54:14"There's some things there, a QPRS, I don't know what that is."
0:54:14 > 0:54:17They're like, "What do you think?" and I'm like, "Yeah, I don't know."
0:54:23 > 0:54:25I feel like a superhero, because...
0:54:25 > 0:54:29you've got your uniform during the day, right,
0:54:29 > 0:54:33you're putting on your outfit, you go out and save the day,
0:54:33 > 0:54:37saving lives and all that, and then you come back and you're normal,
0:54:37 > 0:54:40- no-one knows you're... - I totally know what you mean there.
0:54:40 > 0:54:42I never thought of it like that.
0:54:42 > 0:54:44People may think I'm a knob and that,
0:54:44 > 0:54:48but in a serious situation, I can actually be serious.
0:54:48 > 0:54:50Turn off the knobbiness.
0:54:50 > 0:54:52You would not believe it!
0:54:52 > 0:54:54I don't think you're a MASSIVE knob!
0:54:54 > 0:54:55Shut up.
0:55:00 > 0:55:01Next time,
0:55:01 > 0:55:04it's the Junior Paramedics' final shifts of the placement.
0:55:04 > 0:55:08- If you refuse it... - I'll break the- BLEEP...
0:55:08 > 0:55:09Keep your voice down.
0:55:09 > 0:55:13Steph's caught up in a potentially volatile situation...
0:55:13 > 0:55:15The chap that's assaulted this patient
0:55:15 > 0:55:17is now trying to get into the flat.
0:55:17 > 0:55:20- ..when there's an attacker on the prowl.- Knows where you live?
0:55:22 > 0:55:24I'm going to hold your head, OK?
0:55:24 > 0:55:26Bryn's last night on the job
0:55:26 > 0:55:29brings his biggest challenge of the whole six weeks.
0:55:29 > 0:55:30Might be a bit uncomfortable,
0:55:30 > 0:55:32but we just need to make sure you're nice and secure.
0:55:32 > 0:55:37And it's crunch time as the mentors mark the juniors' performances.
0:55:37 > 0:55:41We get graded today, and I'm really, really dreading it.
0:55:41 > 0:55:43But who will pass...
0:55:43 > 0:55:47Did you have an idea what you thought you might have got?
0:55:47 > 0:55:48..and who will fail?
0:55:48 > 0:55:52A D-minus - that's the bottom grade you can get before you fail.