Ep 11. Episode 11
- July 19, 2011
- 46 min
In this episode of 24 Hours In A&E, viewers follow the day-to-day life of the staff working in the busy accident and emergency department of King's College Hospital in London.
The episode starts with the arrival of a 50-year-old man named Steve who has been hit by a car while crossing the road. Steve is in critical condition and his injuries are so severe that the doctors have to perform an emergency tracheotomy to ensure that he can breathe properly. They then rush him to the CT scanner to assess the extent of his injuries.
As the medical staff treat Steve, we are given an insight into the personal stories of the staff working at King's College Hospital. We meet Sharon, a senior nurse who has worked at the hospital for over 30 years and has to juggle her caring responsibilities with looking after her grandchildren. We also meet consultant Dr. Vikram who talks about the challenges of working in a hospital where the staff are constantly under emotional pressure due to the nature of their work.
Next, we meet 3-year-old Joseph who has been brought into the emergency department after a fall. Joseph is extremely distressed and the medical staff have to work hard to calm him down before they can assess his injuries. His mother, Natalie, talks about the guilt she feels for not being able to protect her son.
The episode then goes back to Steve, who is in a critical condition and needs to be transferred to the ICU. The medical staff work quickly to stabilize him and prepare him for the transfer.
We then meet Tony, a 60-year-old man who has been brought into the emergency department after feeling unwell. Tony has a history of heart problems and the medical staff are concerned that he may be having a heart attack. They work to stabilize him before rushing him to the cardiac catheterization lab for further assessment.
As the episode continues, viewers get to know the staff of King's College Hospital better. We meet consultant Dr. Simon who talks about the importance of teamwork in a high-pressure environment. We also see the dedication of the nursing staff as they work to keep their patients calm and comfortable.
Finally, the episode ends with an update on Steve's condition. We see the medical staff checking on him in the ICU and hear from his son about how grateful he is for their care.
Overall, this episode of 24 Hours In A&E provides an insight into the daily challenges faced by the staff at King's College Hospital as they work to save the lives of their patients. The personal stories of the staff and patients highlight the emotional toll that this work can take, but also demonstrate the dedication and compassion of those working in the emergency department.