A sneak peak into episode three of ’24 Hours in A&E’ on Channel 4
The RTS award-winning documentary series continues. It follows patients treated in the same 24-hour period at St George’s Hospital in south west London, which has one of the most advanced and busiest A&E departments in the world; a place where stories of life, love and loss unfold every day. This week a little girl has serious injuries after being kicked in the head by a race horse.
18-month-old Daisy arrives at St George’s by air ambulance. The accident happened at her family’s stables in Surrey and mum Georgie was so shocked she fainted at the scene. Daisy’s dad Louis is near St George’s when he hears about the accident and actually sees the helicopter touch down.
Daisy is rushed into resus and a CT scan reveals she has a fractured skull, a bruise on her brain and concussion. As surgeons plan their next move, Daisy is carefully monitored for any signs of brain damage.
Meanwhile 54-year-old Mike arrives in minors with a bandage round his jaw after falling face first onto a pavement. Mike has a form of epilepsy that doesn’t respond well to medication and he is subject to sudden seizures that can result in injuries.
Doctors discover that Mike’s jaw is broken in two places and will need a metal plate fitting. Mike’s wife Alison talks about meeting him through a dating web site and how living with his epilepsy has its challenges. “When I first saw him have a seizure it was quite scary…I’m quite used to it now,” says Alison. “If we have friends round and he has a seizure I’m afraid we just carry on talking and let him sit in the corner and mumble to himself.”
And 100-year-old Florence has had a suspected stroke. Daughter Frances is with her, but all is not straightforward as Florence was diagnosed with dementia three years ago. Frances talks about Florence, who was born during the First World War, the youngest of eight children. “She was a very feisty character,” says Frances. “You don’t get to a hundred without that inner strength.”
Tune in on Tuesdays at 9pm on Channel 4.
Senior Producer/Director: Lucie Duxbury
Series Producer/Directors: Alex Sunderland, Bruce Fletcher and Jackie Waldock
Executive Producers: Spencer Kelly
Production Company: The Garden Productions
