Ep 2. Episode 2
- January 14, 2015
- 46 min
24 Hours in A&E is a British television documentary series that showcases the daily lives of the patients, their families, and the staff of the emergency department at King’s College Hospital in London. Season 8 episode 2 of the show gives us an insight into the daily grind at the hospital and follows the stories of several patients who come through the doors in need of urgent medical care.
The episode begins with a middle-aged man named Tony, who has been admitted with chest pain that has been persisting for several hours. The doctors immediately begin running tests to determine the cause of his pain and quickly realize that he has an aortic aneurysm, a potentially life-threatening condition that requires urgent surgery. As Tony is prepped for surgery, the doctors discuss the risks and potential outcomes of the procedure with his wife, who is understandably scared and anxious. We see the surgical team in action as they operate on Tony, and we're able to follow his progress in the hospital as he recovers.
Next, we meet a young woman named Sophie, who has come in with severe abdominal pain. Sophie is a single mother of three, and it quickly becomes clear that she is struggling to cope with her symptoms as well as the stress of raising her children alone. The doctors suspect that she may have appendicitis and decide to operate to remove her appendix. We see her in the operating room as well as her recovery afterwards, and we get a glimpse into the emotional toll that her illness is taking on her.
Meanwhile, a young boy called Harry has come in after having a seizure. Harry's parents are naturally worried and scared, and the doctors work quickly to find out what has caused his seizure and to stabilize him. They suspect that Harry has contracted a virus, which is causing his fever and seizures, and they must act fast to prevent him from going into respiratory failure. We follow Harry's progress as the doctors struggle to get his fever under control and to keep him stabilized while they look for the root cause of his illness.
Finally, we meet a man named Ben, who has come in after being hit by a car while cycling. Ben is a professional cyclist, and his injuries are severe enough that he may not be able to ride again. The doctors work to stabilize him and run a series of tests to determine the extent of his injuries. We see his surgery and subsequent recovery, as well as the impact that his injury has on his family and professional life.
Throughout the episode, we also get to see the daily lives of the emergency room staff, as they manage the rush of patients and juggle the demands of their jobs with their own personal lives. We see the toll that working in a high-pressure environment can take on them, as well as the rewards of being able to help people who are in need.
Overall, season 8 episode 2 of 24 Hours in A&E provides a fascinating look into the daily workings of a busy emergency department, showing the human stories behind the medical emergencies and the dedicated staff who work to save lives every day.