Ambulance Catch up, Series 11: Episode 1 on BBC 1

Ambulance

Series 11: Episode 1

The first episode of the Bafta award-winning Ambulance returns to the north west, one of the areas hardest hit by the cost-of-living crisis. The ambulance service has increasingly become the safety net for those struggling to cope, while still striving to deliver the very best care to a population of over 7.1 million amid the deepest crisis in the NHS’s 75-year history. \n\nIt's the first of two strike days affecting ambulance services across the country, the most wide-scale industrial action for a generation. North West Ambulance Service loses over a third of its workforce as staff join the picket lines to strike over pay, working conditions and their concerns for patient safety. \n\nWith limited resources, the service will only be responding to category 1 and 2 calls, the most life-threatening, and category 3 and 4 calls will not be sent an ambulance. \n\nAn emergency call is received for a patient not breathing. Dispatcher Joe immediately deploys the nearest available crew, 19 minutes away on the picket line. Until emergency services arrive, call handler Annie guides the caller through life-saving instructions. Despite best efforts, the crew on scene sadly make the decision to terminate resuscitation, and dispatcher Joe reflects on the impact of the strike action.\n\nIt’s the start of a new 12-hour shift, and with no strike action, the service is back to normal capacity. Crewmates Phil and Ian are dispatched to an RTC on the M6, with multiple reports of a vehicle on its roof. It’s a challenging job for Phil, who opens up about his recent experience of losing close relatives in a fatal RTC. \n\nBack at control, the team is dealing with a third more calls in Cumbria and Lancashire compared to the same time during the previous day’s strike. Crewmates Jared and Jamie are dispatched to a vicarage to help care for an 89-year-old female who has fallen. The patient expresses her deep gratitude for the NHS and the ambulance service. \n\nA category 1 call is received for a patient who has collapsed and stopped breathing. Advanced paramedic Amy is less than a mile from the patient and will arrive in just 80 seconds. Multiple clinicians at the scene work tirelessly to help the patient before transporting him to the nearest A&E on a red pre-alert.\n\nThe team in control is back for another 12-hour night shift before staff walk out on strike again in the morning. Category 3 calls are still being sent an ambulance. Jared and Jamie are dispatched to a 25-year-old vomiting due to gallstones. The patient’s strong family support network leads paramedic Jared to reflect on his life growing up with a parent struggling with addiction. \n\nIn Lancaster, Ian and Phil respond to a call from an 88-year-old patient who is on blood thinners and suffering from continuous nose bleeds. After being reassured by the crew, the patient reveals she nearly didn’t call for help, for fear the ambulance service were on strike.\n\nJared and Jamie are less than one mile away from a 25-year-old female patient with low mood and suicidal thoughts. The crew arrives to find the patient in the midst of a mental health crisis and learn she has been suffering with postnatal depression. After demonstrating effective breathing exercises, the crew is able to put the patient at ease and leave her at home feeling brighter and more positive. \n\nFilmed during a historical period of uncertainty for the NHS, this episode introduces the staff of North West Ambulance Service across Lancashire, from the picket line to the front line. It shines a light on the uncertainties faced by the NHS today, while the ambulance service continues to deliver life-saving care to the people of the region.

Source: BBC 1

Most recent episodes of Ambulance

Ambulance

Series 13: 6. No Room At A&e

Rising pressure on the NHS impacts local A&Es, with Croydon and St George's hospitals reaching capacity. As a result, control room dispatchers Ed and Webster have fewer resource ...

21-11-2024

BBC 1

All episodes

Ambulance

Series 13: 5. What Are You Scared Of?

The shift begins with Homerton-based crew Niamh and Isobel and clinical team manager Gary being dispatched to a 25-year-old patient who has fallen from height whilst scaling the ...

20-11-2024

BBC 1

All episodes

Ambulance

Series 13: 4. Shooting On The High Street

This episode centres on the London Ambulance Service's tactical operations centre, a team working around the clock to accelerate response times to the largest and most complex i ...

12-11-2024

BBC 1

All episodes

Ambulance

Series 13: 3. Hoax Caller

We follow crewmates Shyr-Nai and James alongside the team in control in London, including dispatchers Lucy and Karen, and call handler Nicole, as they are faced with a flurry of ...

06-11-2024

BBC 1

All episodes

Ambulance

Series 13: 2. Fire At The Police Station

It's a busy start to the shift, as London Ambulance Service have dispatched 12 resources to a fire at Forest Gate Police Station, leaving 57 patients waiting for an ambulance in ...

30-10-2024

BBC 1

All episodes

Ambulance

Series 13: 1. Crew Under Attack

Filmed in spring 2024, Ambulance returns to London, which has the UK’s biggest and busiest ambulance service. We revealing how frontline staff grapple to deliver the care ...

23-10-2024

BBC 1

All episodes

Ambulance

Series 12: Episode 6

An hour into the night shift, and a new call is being received every 19 seconds. Call handler Sairah is in training and answering calls for the first time. She receives a call f ...

14-08-2024

BBC 1

All episodes

Ambulance

Series 12: Episode 5

It’s Easter bank holiday weekend and the start of the new 12-hour day shift for the North West Ambulance Service. Looking after the communities of central Manchester and S ...

09-08-2024

BBC 1

All episodes

Ambulance

Series 12: Episode 4

This episode follows the team in control and crews out on the road across Lancashire as they respond to those in need. Filmed in 2023 in the north west of England, one of the ar ...

07-08-2024

BBC 1

All episodes

Ambulance

Series 12: Episode 3

This episode follows the team in control and crews out on the road in Wigan and Bolton. Filmed in 2023 in the north west of England, one of the areas hardest hit by the cost-of- ...

31-07-2024

BBC 1

All episodes