Viewers across the globe to watch London Ambulance Service paramedics in their first ever Netflix show

Viewers around the world will see the specialist care provided by London Ambulance Service critical care paramedics in a brand new show from Netflix.

‘Critical: Between Life and Death’ – streaming on Netflix from Wednesday 23 July – follows the dedicated clinicians at London Ambulance Service and the capital’s major trauma centres that look after the most seriously injured patients in London.

In the action-packed opening episode, paramedics respond when a fairground ride crashes in Brockwell Park and injures multiple patients, including children.

Advanced Paramedic Rory Saggers helps co-ordinate the emergency medical response to the accident from the Service’s tactical operations centre. The centre supports emergency dispatchers so they can send crews to the most critically injured patients in the capital.

Rory said: “They were having a nice day, and then very quickly that changed. We always remember that patients involved in incidents like this are having the worst day of their life.”

He works alongside Flight Paramedic Nick Baxter and they dispatch Advanced Paramedic Lara Hammond and London’s Air Ambulance to support the ambulance resources at the scene in Brockwell Park.

Lara Hammond said: “I was working on a night shift out of Croydon and Rory rang me to ask if I mind taking an early job as we had declared a significant incident.

“While I was en route I received information that a fairground ride had crashed with lots of patients involved but I didn’t know what I was going to see.

“It was surreal because the fair was still going on and there were families around, but there was this cordoned off area where the ride had crashed.

“It must have been a terrifying day for those involved who was enjoying a day out at the fair. You’re there to prioritise patients and ensure they get the best possible care.”

In the second episode, viewers follow Advanced Paramedic Peter Kingsley to a crash where motorcyclist Jared suffers a limb-threatening open leg fracture. Pete realigns Jared’s leg and he is conveyed to King’s College Hospital.

Pete Kingsley said: “When I go into work, I have literally no idea what I’m going to be dealing with, especially in a city like London.

“But if you can look after a traumatically injured patient in London, I think you can do it pretty much anywhere.”

Dr Fenella Wrigley, Chief Medical Officer at London Ambulance Service, said: “We’re incredibly proud of all our people – from the emergency call handlers to the ambulance clinicians and specialist resources. They are there for Londoners and their families in those life-threatening or life-changing moments.

“It’s vital that London Ambulance Service and our NHS partners in the Major Trauma System show viewers the incredible expertise that goes into caring for people in what is often the most difficult moments of their lives.

“We hope that programmes like this will inspire viewers to consider a rewarding career at the UK’s busiest ambulance service. There are different roles – from preparing ambulances to answering 999 or 111 calls to different levels of clinicians. London Ambulance Service offers an incredibly dynamic career and everyone contributes to looking after Londoners. “

The London Major Trauma System was set up in 2010 to provide better care for the most critically injured patients. It treats more than 12,000 patients a year and has improved survival rates for major trauma patients by 50 per cent.

From the makers of the award-winning 24 Hours in A&E and with exclusive access to London Ambulance Service, hospitals and the air ambulance, 40 cameras were embedded for 21 days across the entire London Major Trauma System.

The behind-the-scenes series goes over the shoulder and under the scalpel to reveal the life-saving interventions and the personal stories that inspire NHS clinicians to make crucial life or death decisions.

Anyone interested in working for London Ambulance Service can find out more on the careers page here.

Help us raise money for our Heart Starters campaign to install lifesaving equipment across London by joining us for the next London Life Hike in September.