24 Hours in A&E

24 Hours in A&E
Title card
Genre	Medical Documentary
Narrated by	Anthony Philipson
Composer(s)	Richard Spiller
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Original language(s)	English
No. of series	3
No. of episodes	48
Production
Executive producer(s)	Tom McDonald Nick Curwin
Producer(s)	Leo Burley
Location(s)	King's College Hospital
Production company(s)	The Garden Productions Ltd
Broadcast
Original channel	Channel 4
Original run	11 May 2011 (2011-05-11) – present
External links
24 Hours in A&E

24 Hours in A&E is a British medical documentary set in King's College Hospital. 91 cameras filmed round the clock for 28 days, 24 hours a day in A&E (Accident and Emergency) it offers unprecedented access to one of Britain's busiest A&E departments.

Overview

This Channel 4 documentary series gives viewers behind the scenes access to King's College Hospital's Accident & Emergency Department. Series 1 aired every Wednesday 9pm and consisted of 14 one-hour episodes. The filming took place over 28 days using 70 fixed cameras and is the largest documentary series Channel 4 has ever made.

The series enables viewers to see the unique set of challenges - including the highs and lows - that King's A&E staff face as they treat the 350 patients that come through its doors every day.

The programmes show the way the staff work together as a team to treat seriously ill patients involved in road traffic accidents and violent assaults, as well as those patients accessing treatment for minor injuries such as scrapes and cuts and bruises. The fly-on-the-wall footage is intercut with subsequent interviews with staff, patients and relatives giving their perspectives and background on the events shown.

Filming for the second series ended in March 2012. It began broadcasting on 16 May 2012, again appearing in the Wednesday 9pm slot.

24 Hours in A&E will return for a third series on 10 April 2013 at 9pm.

List of episodes

Series 1 (2011)

№	Title	Original air date	Viewing Figures (millions)
1	"Episode 1"	11 May 2011 (2011-05-11)	2.70
This episode includes a 33-year-old Greek student who was dragged under a bus while crossing the road, a 78-year-old man who fell head-first off a ladder while painting his daughter's landing and a confused cyclist with a severe head injury.
2	"Episode 2"	18 May 2011 (2011-05-18)	2.41
This episode includes 31-year-old Brendan, who has had a head-on collision between his motorbike and a car, a teenager with injuries after punching a wall and the team struggling to revive two patients in their eighties.
3	"Episode 3"	25 May 2011 (2011-05-25)	2.64
This episode includes an 11-year-old, critically injured after being hit by a van and the arrival of three trauma patients in quick succession: one shot in the face, another stabbed in the chest, and the third knifed in the head.
4	"Episode 4"	1 June 2011 (2011-06-01)	2.24
This episode focuses on the consequences of alcohol on A&E departments. It includes a 39-year-old who has fallen and broken his neck after a few drinks, 56-year-old David, a long-term alcoholic who collapsed in the street and hit his head and a 26-year-old who has been arrested after a day of heavy drinking, sent to King's as he cut his hand putting it through a window.
5	"Episode 5"	8 June 2011 (2011-06-08)	2.54
This episode reveals what can happen when something goes wrong with the brain. Including 65-year-old Charlie, who has not been the same since crashing his cab two days ago and 89-year-old Peggie, who was rushed in with a suspected stroke.
6	"Episode 6"	15 June 2011 (2011-06-15)	2.65
This episode includes 35-year-old Colin, who was stabbed after being woken at gunpoint, 87-year-old Nancy, who has fell over at home and former lawyer Robert, who collapsed in the street drunk. He has lost his family and home after years of alcoholism.
7	"Episode 7"	22 June 2011 (2011-06-22)	2.82
This episode focusing on the stabbings dealt with by King's College Hospital. It includes 17-year old Levi, who was stabbed after a fight in the street, and two other young men from different areas, with stab wounds. Also, a young woman, punched in the face, turns up at King's, as well as a man who has had too much to drink at the House of Commons.
8	"Episode 8"	29 June 2011 (2011-06-29)	2.80
This episode includes 77-year-old John, who's been sent to King's after a routine health screening revealed a potentially-deadly 'Triple A' (abdominal aortic aneurism) - a dramatic swelling of the main artery that could burst at any moment.
9	"Episode 9"	6 July 2011 (2011-07-06)	2.84
The medical team faces a range of sport and drink-related injuries on a busy Saturday. But the evening takes a dramatic turn when a father and son are rushed into A&E with life-threatening injuries after being attacked by gatecrashers at a family birthday party. Also, two 19-year-old girls are waiting for treatment after falling when the bar they were dancing on collapsed, while bricklayer Colin has been badly cut by someone trying to mug him.
10	"Episode 10"	13 July 2011 (2011-07-13)	2.60
In an episode focused on accidents, construction worker William has been trapped under a cherry picker, breaking his leg in three places and crushing his chest, Nick has fallen from a ten-metre ladder onto concrete, landing on his head, resulting in a severe brain injury and Darren has fallen through a window while trying to clean it, cutting his arm badly.
11	"Episode 11"	20 July 2011 (2011-07-20)	3.12
This episode includes 78-year-old Reginald, rushed to hospital after severe stomach pains, doctors suspect that part of his gut may have died, leaving him in a life-threatening situation. Other patients include Richard, who has twisted his knee moon-walking in a club, and a young cyclist brought in unconscious after coming off his bike.
12	"Episode 12"	27 July 2011 (2011-07-27)	3.02
88-year-old Omar is brought in after suffering severe stomach pains and a suspected abdominal aortic aneurism, 33-year-old Hanny is rushed in after attempting to take his life with a lethal cocktail of drugs and staff fight to save an 18-year-old who's been stabbed in a street fight. This episode also looks at the effects of working at King's on some of the non-medical staff.
13	"Episode 13"	3 August 2011 (2011-08-03)	3.10
This episode includes 74-year-old Ted, on his 10th visit to A&E this year after being diagnosed with terminal bladder cancer, German doctor Roman, who is still getting used to the cultural differences between practising in Germany and the UK and a 40-year-old-man who's been kicked in the face during a football match needs stitches.
14	"Episode 14"	10 August 2011 (2011-08-10)	2.84
Focusing on mental health issues, this episode includes a regular patient to King's who suffers from schizophrenia, admitted after failing to take his diabetes medicine and a young girl seeks refuge with the mental health team. Also visiting King's are 16-year-old Joseph and 61-year-old Clive, both suspected of having a stroke

Series 2 (2012)

№	Title	Original air date	Viewing Figures (millions)
1	"Rush Hour"	16 May 2012 (2012-05-16)	2.73
The episode begins during the morning rush hour, featuring patients injured during their commutes, including two cyclists with serious head injuries. Also in A&E are Kevin, who fell from scaffolding whilst repairing a roof and 80-year-old Bill, who has hurt his knee while drinking at his local working men's club. Katalin recounts thoughts about being an actress before qualifying as a doctor.
2	"Young Ones"	23 May 2012 (2012-05-23)	2.34
This episode follows some of the children admitted to King's A&E, including 16-year-old Ellie, who's been airlifted to King's after she was thrown from her horse and crushed against a fence and 4-year-old Destiny, who has a fishbone stuck in his tonsils from his lunchtime curry. One of King's newest recruits, Matt, is also affected by the deaths of two older patients.
3	"Code Red"	30 May 2012 (2012-05-30)	2.63
This episode includes 49-year-old Trudy, who arrives unconscious by HEMS having fallen down some stairs after a night out celebrating, Bea, who has cancer and now a suspected heart attack and Vincent, who was admitted with chest pains.
4	"Allergic to Pain"	6 June 2012 (2012-06-06)	2.16
This episode explores the different ways that grown men deal with pain and injury. 50-year-old Jim arrives in A&E screaming in agony after dislocating his shoulder, 30-year-old Temi is in minors with a broken toe and 83-three-year-old James has a cyst on his knee but is in so much pain that he's refusing treatment.
5	"Vital Organs"	13 June 2012 (2012-06-13)	2.89
This episode focuses on young men in their prime. 19-year-old Josh is flown to King's College Hospital by air ambulance having been crushed between a barge and a bridge, in minors, best friends Liam and Nicola are recovering from a Sunday night out clubbing and 80-year-old Jean has been brought to King's by ambulance after collapsing at home.
6	"One Moment In Time"	20 June 2012 (2012-06-20)	2.99
This episode follows the work of King's A&E on the night that Whitney Houston died. 21-year-old Danielle collapsed after an exercise class and Registrar Swetha is concerned that Danielle's kidneys may be failing, and that she may even be at risk of cardiac arrest. Meanwhile a boy who has fallen head-first from a 20 feet balcony arrives in resus and 34-year-old Latoya who was out partying with friends when the straps on her platform heels gave way and she fell over.
7	"A Good Life"	27 June 2012 (2012-06-27)	2.50
A 93-year-old man is brought in with life-threatening injuries after being knocked down by a hit-and-run driver just outside the hospital. He goes into cardiac arrest, and a consultant must keep his heart going manually in a bid to save his life. Meanwhile, an 83-year-old's finger is mangled by a machine at his metal-working business, and a 51-year-old man with learning difficulties is treated after collapsing, prompting his elderly mother to wonder how he will cope after her death
8	"Saturday Night"	4 July 2012 (2012-07-04)	2.78
Consultant Emer Sutherland helps treat an eight-year-old who has fallen 8ft onto concrete while riding his BMX, losing his front teeth and possibly injuring his head and spine. A 19-year-old motorcyclist who hit a bollard requires urgent treatment on his leg, which may otherwise need to be amputated, and X-rays of a stabbing victim yield startling results
9	"Mum"	11 July 2012 (2012-07-11)	2.58
A woman with a weak immune system owing to the radiotherapy she underwent for breast cancer is bitten by her cat, a minor injury that could cause her serious problems. A 71-year-old with terminal cancer is brought in with breathing difficulties and a decision must be made about whether to resuscitate her if her condition worsens. Meanwhile, a 12-year-old translates for his Brazilian grandmother and a five-year-old has her head wound stitched
10	"We Are Family"	18 July 2012 (2012-07-18)	3.23
New staff nurse Sophie attends to 22-year-old chef James, who accidentally stabbed himself in the leg while chopping tomatoes. During an eventful shift, she also uses chest compressions to keep alive another patient and helps 54-year-old Bernard, who was out cold for 10 minutes after falling and banging his head against a car. However, when his family arrives, it turns out he had been drinking
11	"Snow"	25 July 2012 (2012-07-25)	2.71
Five-year-old Daisy is rushed in with severe burns after her skirt got caught in a gas fire. As paediatric sister Jen tries to ease the girl's distress, her father Damien also has treatment, having put out the flames with his bare hands. Seventy-four-year-old Maurice is brought in after hurting his hand in a fall, but his short-term memory is failing him, while 61-year-old Ginger is surprised to learn she may have to stay overnight after being scratched by her pet cat
12	"The "Q" Word"	1 August 2012 (2012-08-01)	2.72
As the episode begins, there are few patients in A&E and the first call of the night on the red emergency telephone is a wrong number. But staff know that quiet ("The Q word") rarely lasts long. Consultant Jacqui must act fast when severely underweight baby Jaziah is rushed into resus with breathing difficulties. In paediatric A&E, it is hoped that 18-month-old Charlie's urine test results will explain why he has been feeling unwell for five days, while 81-year-old Ronald prepares for a CT scan after suffering a suspected stroke that is affecting his speech
13	"Cause Unknown"	8 August 2012 (2012-08-08)	2.69
A nine-year-old girl is rushed into resus with memory problems after slumping over her desk at school. Consultant Liz has difficulty making a diagnosis, suspecting the pupil may have a viral infection that causes a swelling of the brain. A woman with a history of anxiety attacks requires a scan after being brought in suffering from numbness down her left side, and an 11-year-old boy is treated for a broken leg after being knocked down by a car.
14	"Life's little Hiccups"	15 August 2012 (2012-08-15)	2.61
A busy night shift sees a series of men admitted with various problems. Father-of-six Stacey is experiencing breathing difficulties, but his demanding attitude appears to mask a vulnerability. Twenty-year-old Sam is brought in after being attacked outside a nightclub and has possible injuries to the neck and spine. He is nervous because his father died at the hospital and, with a broken nose, is worried he may have lost his looks. Henry has an electrician's exam the following morning but has been hiccuping for three days. Registrar Faheem is determined to diagnose the problem and get him well in time.

Series 3 (2013)

№	Title	Original air date	Viewing Figures (millions)
1	"Brief Encounter"	10 April 2013 (2013-04-10)	3.11
A doctor is shocked when a young woman arrives in resus with life-threatening swelling on her brain following a random attack by a stranger on the streets, while a mother faces an agonising wait as tests are carried out on her 12-year-old son, who was hit by a car and airlifted to King's by emergency medics. A 90-year-old former circus performer is also in A&E after collapsing at home, and news of his colourful past quickly circulates among the staff.
2	"Three Sisters"	17 April 2013 (2013-04-17)	3.22
Eighty-year-old Rose has fluid on her lungs and is having trouble breathing. Her daughters Christine, Sandra and Debbie put on brave faces around her bedside, convincing her that everything will be all right, but in the relatives' room there's high emotion as they contemplate life without their mother. Also in resus at King's College Hospital is Kevin, a 55-year-old trucker who has sustained injuries in a road accident
3	"Reality Check"	24 April 2013 (2013-04-24)
A 39-year-old man is flown to King's College Hospital after being involved in a head-on collision while driving a friend's sports car, and doctors fear his injuries could leave him paralysed. Meanwhile, 21-year-old Thomassine requires treatment following a skateboarding accident and the staff see to Matias, 34, who has been dragged along a station platform by a moving train
4		1 May 2013 (2013-05-01)
The staff at King's College Hospital treat patients on Valentine's Day, including a 53-year-old psychologist who has injured his shoulder in a motorcycle accident. His partner is abroad and he doesn't want to worry her, so he decides to keep the incident a secret. Also in the A&E department are a man with a bleed on the brain and an elderly widower who has been bitten by his dog
5		8 May 2013 (2013-05-08)
Doctors assess the injuries of 47-year-old Chrissie, who was hit by a motorcycle as she crossed the road, but her husband Tim is caught in the traffic jam her accident has caused, leaving him struggling to get to the hospital. John is in resus in a confused state following a suspected stroke, and Benedict, who is 22, has come into King's because of his drinking problem

Awards and nominations

Series 1

Year	Awards	Category	Result
2012	Royal Television Society Awards	Documentary Series	Won

External links

• 24 Hours in A&E at channel4.com