Ambulance

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

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

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

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

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

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