Spoiler alert for episode eight of ’24 Hours in A&E’
In this week’s episode on Channel 4 (aired on Wednesday 9pm) two little girls and an elderly gentleman requiring much needed treatment from our A&E team, including Simon, the nurse. Simon has made his first appearance in series 8 and is a turning into quite a TV star already!
5-year-old Kayla is rushed into St George’s struggling to breathe. With her is worried mum Rachel. Doctors try to find out what’s wrong and give Kayla drugs to relax her chest muscles.
Rachel reveals that Kayla was diagnosed with a rare form of juvenile arthritis and she has spent months in Great Ormond St hospital under specialist care – something that’s been very difficult for both mum and daughter.
“She stopped walking and she stopped talking. She went from my happy, jumping round little girl to just doing nothing,” says Rachel. “She should be outside enjoying life and enjoying the sun. She’s had a lot to deal with in a very short amount of time…It’s an everyday struggle, but she knows that we’re a team.”
Meanwhile 83-year-old Derek arrives at A&E having fallen over and he’s in a confused state. When asked what year it is, he replies “2003”. Doctors try to get to the bottom of what is going on. It’s revealed that Derek has an irregular heartbeat, but that’s not the whole story.
Wife Gwyneth arrives at St George’s and recalls how she first met Derek when he was 62 and she was 39. As doctors carry out tests and a CT scan to diagnose Derek’s condition, Gwyneth reveals how he’s not quite the man he once was and helps doctors understand why he’s so confused.
And 12-year-old Olivia has and been brought to A&E with a nasty cut on her leg by big sister Maddie after falling over while doing a handstand at school. Olivia has to be brave as doctors attempt to close the wound.
