Ep 5. Series 4 Episode 5

In Series 4 Episode 5 of 999: What's Your Emergency?, viewers are given a glimpse into the lives of emergency service workers in the rural county of Herefordshire. The episode focuses primarily on the struggles faced by the ambulance service, with crews facing increased pressures due to an aging population and the closure of local hospitals.

One of the first calls that viewers see is an elderly woman who has fallen and injured herself. The ambulance crew faces a difficult situation, as the woman is unwilling to go to the hospital and insists on staying at home. Throughout the episode, viewers are shown how ambulance crews must balance the wishes of their patients with their duty of care, often having to make difficult decisions about whether or not to transport them to hospital.

Later on, the episode highlights how ambulance services are increasingly being used as a substitute for social care. Viewers are introduced to a man who has called an ambulance because he needs help getting out of bed. Due to a lack of social care provisions, the man is left with no other option but to call the ambulance service when he needs assistance. The episode highlights how this kind of situation is unsustainable, with ambulance resources being stretched thin as a result.

As the episode progresses, viewers are shown how emergency service workers in Herefordshire are working to combat these challenges. For example, the episode highlights how ambulance crews are now partnering with community first responders, who provide basic medical support to patients until the ambulance arrives. Additionally, the episode showcases initiatives like the “Crisis Response” team, which provides mental health support to patients who are experiencing psychiatric emergencies.

Throughout the episode, viewers are given a glimpse into the day-to-day experiences of emergency service workers in Herefordshire. From harrowing calls involving cardiac arrests and drug overdoses, to moments of levity like a crew rescuing a duckling from a storm drain, the episode presents a rich tapestry of the experiences of emergency service workers.

One particularly poignant moment comes towards the end of the episode, when viewers are introduced to a man who has been involved in a serious car accident. The man recounts his experience, explaining how the ambulance crew who responded to the scene were instrumental in saving his life. This segment serves as a powerful reminder of the important work that emergency service workers do each day, and the impact that they can have on the lives of those they serve.

Overall, Series 4 Episode 5 of 999: What's Your Emergency? provides a thought-provoking exploration of the challenges faced by emergency service workers in rural communities. Through a series of compelling vignettes, viewers are given a glimpse into the lives of those on the front line, and the important work that they do each day to keep their communities safe.