Casualty 24/7

With Barnsley Casualty declared a crime scene, the team must deal with emergencies inside and outside the hospital. While Sister Jane runs outside to help a critical patient in the car park, Matron Val and Consultant Doctor Dave Walker need to negotiate with the Police who are stopping new arrivals entering the building.

It's forecast to be one of the hottest days on record at Barnsley Hospital - not ideal for the eight new Junior Doctors starting their first shift. Sister Vicky is coordinating in the heat and keeping a close eye on the new medics, 'They are coming into your territory, they are scared to death, you've got to nurture them - it's like watching your babies grow.'

There's already a queue of paramedics waiting to hand over patients at Barnsley Casualty. Sister Benita is running the shift, when suddenly, a fire alarm goes off and she must prepare the entire department - staff and emergency patients - for a full evacuation.

The casualty department is at a standstill at Barnsley Hospital. With more very ill patients arriving, for Sister Harriet and Consultant Doctor Julian Humphrey it's a case of who is in most urgent need of help. 'We are basically log-jammed' says Doctor Humphrey, 'we have a department full of patients. We can't move anybody out because the hospital hasn't got any beds at the moment'.

'When I'm coordinating it's guaranteed that I am going to have a horrendous shift!' Sister Vicky declares. Today is no exception - a high call out for ambulances has resulted in paramedics queuing with patients in the corridor at Barnsley Casualty. The team must decide who is seen and who can wait.

Consultant Doctor Julian Humphrey looks after a 76-year-old woman who has come in after a nasty fall. She has broken her nose but Doctor Humphrey fears that bleeding on the brain could have much more serious long-term consequences. Fifteen-year-old Danny is looked after by Charge Nurse Johnny Sharpe.

Registrar Doctor Chris Carson is on his way to help with the staff shortages when he's stopped in his tracks. He spots a man in extreme pain stumbling down a corridor towards him, Doctor Carson explains 'you can just spot someone who looks incredibly sick. The fact that he has staggered into A & E and couldn't make it to reception already is a red flag to me.'

As winter hits, the cold weather causes a spike in admissions at Barnsley Hospital. And for the casualty team, there's no letup in the blue light arrivals. Carole is rushed in after being found collapsed outside her home. Paramedics are concerned she could have heart problems and as her temperature is just 34 degrees she's also at risk of hypothermic shock.

It's all change at Barnsley Casualty as a new system is introduced. Sister Benita is taking on the role of Team Leader for the first time, 'Being in charge is nice,' says Benita, 'but I don't miss all the stress that comes along with having to organize the team.'

Extremely high patient numbers in Barnsley Casualty lead to Sister Harriet declaring 'it's edging on being the worst shift I've ever done.' The department is full and waiting time to see a doctor has doubled but ambulances are still bringing in critically ill patients.