Akuten 24/7

Casualty 24/7: Every Second Counts

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.

Junior Doctor Tom Fish’s first patient is 18-year-old Lewis who has broken bones and deep wounds from a moped accident - but causing him the most pain is his fear of needles.

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.

Sister Harriet spots Terry waiting in the queue and decides he needs urgent care. He’s fallen off a roof and is unable to move his arm from a position above his head.

Priority is being given to two patients fighting for breath: 72-year-old Lynda and 2-year-old Seb. Junior Doctor Emma Faragher is treating Lynda. ‘Not being able to breathe is absolutely terrifying,’ says Doctor Faragher.

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.

Doctor Carson’s caseload also includes Wayne, who was found with head injuries at the bottom of a flight of stairs, and 4-year-old Pippa who’s been brought in with severe sickness.

As winter hits, the cold weather causes a spike in admissions at Barnsley Hospital. And for the casualty team those no letup in the blue light arrivals. Carole is rushed in after being found collapsed outside her home.

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.

The department is full and waiting time to see a doctor has doubled but ambulances are still bringing in critically ill patients.