Tag: Paramedics on Scene

Paramedics on Scene returns for seventh season on BBC Scotland

Paramedics on Scene, the award-winning observational series documenting the work of the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS), premieres on BBC Scotland tonight – 28 June at 9pm.

The opening episode features an attack on two members of staff when a patient becomes violent, forcing Glasgow crewmates Gregg and Bernadette to take shelter.

Elsewhere, a frontline crew in Dundee treats a patient with a potentially fatal drug overdose, while SORT North responds to a suspected stroke. Viewers also follow an SAS call handler managing 999 calls relating to two road traffic collisions.

This season follows frontline ambulance crews in Aberdeen, Perth, Ayr and Dunoon, alongside SAS’s three Ambulance Control Centres. The Service’s Special Operations Response Teams (SORT) in the North and West, and the Air Ambulance Service, also return.

SAS Chief Executive Michael Dickson said: “We’re delighted Paramedics on Scene is back for another season, giving people the opportunity to see how the whole Service operates – from the 999 call, through ambulance dispatch, to the critical clinical response.

“It also highlights the challenges our staff face, including the unprovoked attacks featured in this first episode. Our colleagues experience violence and aggression on an almost daily basis. While these incidents represent only a small proportion of the thousands of patients we treat each year, they are completely unacceptable. Ambulance staff are dedicated to providing the best possible care for the public, and these incidents can have lasting consequences despite our best efforts.

We’d like to thank our valued partners at Firecrest, who do a brilliant job of bringing the show to life.”

Firecrest Films Head of Documentaries Mick McAvoy said: “It’s hugely exciting to see the new series hit our screens on BBC Scotland and the BBC iPlayer. Over the last year, we’ve had remarkable access to the Scottish Ambulance Service, following paramedics, emergency responders and call handlers as they work on the frontline.

“I believe this is our most hard-hitting series yet. Across ten episodes, viewers will see the challenges, pressures and dangers ambulance crews face every day, alongside the extraordinary skill and life-saving care they bring to those in need.

“Thanks to the generosity and commitment of everyone who took part, we’ve been able to capture a powerful and authentic insight into a service that aims to help people at the most critical moments in their lives.”

Steve Allen, BBC Scotland Commissioning Executive, Factual, said: “Paramedics on Scene offers audiences a compelling insight into the range of emergencies and the pressures Scotland’s ambulance crews face.

“This new series captures not only the intensity and unpredictability of frontline care, but also the remarkable skill, resilience and compassion shown by crews in some of the most challenging circumstances.”

Season seven of Paramedics on Scene airs on BBC Scotland at 9pm every Sunday and will also be available on BBC iPlayer.

Frontline Melrose staff to appear on new series of Paramedics on Scene

Frontline Melrose staff members from the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) will appear on a new series of Paramedics on Scene, which airs on Tuesday.

Lee Myers, Paramedic, and Mark Kerr, Technician will feature alongside SAS’s West Ambulance Control Centre (ACC), West SORT (Special Operations Response Team) and Melrose frontline staff.

Lee and Mark said: “It’s been a great experience working with the film crews and being given the opportunity to demonstrate the work we do within our local community, the highs, the lows, and the effect that has on us and how we cope. It’s not all blue lights and sirens.

“The border towns are close knit communities, and I think the residents take great comfort at difficult times from knowing that they and the crew are likely to be connected either through family, work, or friends.”

Season Six of Paramedics on Scene is on BBC Scotland at 9am on Tuesday and repeated at 10pm on Thursday. It is also available on BBC iPlayer.

The next episode features a woman thrown off a horse, a crew called to a man who has taken some illegal drugs and close to death, and the air ambulance team bring a sick eight-year-old from Campbeltown to the Children’s hospital in Glasgow.

Lee Myers and Mark Kerr, here pictured with Fraser McArthur of Firecrest

Hawick frontline staff to appear on latest episode of Paramedics on Scene

Frontline Hawick staff members from the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) will appear on a new series of Paramedics on Scene, which airs on Sunday.

Gregor Sharp, Colin Ferrie, both Paramedics, and Mya Pearce, Student Paramedic, feature alongside SAS’s East and North Ambulance Control Centres (ACC), and Peterhead and Oban frontline crews.

The Hawick staff said: “Our patients regularly mention to us that they like watching the real-life ambulance TV programmes, so when given the chance we therefore wanted to represent and show our working area to the rest of Scotland and also showcase the role of the Scottish university student paramedics on placement in their future working environment.”

In the episode, an ambulance crew must determine if a woman experiencing strong chest pain is having a heart attack, a woman suffers a severe allergic reaction after she’s stung by a bee and call handlers manage a scene over the phone as they guide a worried caller through chest compressions until an ambulance arrives.

Season Five of Paramedics on Scene is on BBC Scotland at 9pm on Sunday and repeated at 8pm on Tuesday. It is also available on BBC iPlayer.

SAS Special Operations team to appear on latest Paramedics on Scene

The Scottish Ambulance Service’s Special Operations Team (SORT) based in Edinburgh will appear on a new series of Paramedics on Scene, which airs on TV tonight (Sunday).

Isla Winnik, Ryan McLaughlin, Luke O’Hanlon, Leigh Law, Graeme Methven and Michael Slater will feature alongside SAS’s North Ambulance Control Centre (ACC), and Kilmarnock, Glasgow and Dalkeith emergency crews.

The episode features SORT attending to a man who has barricaded himself in his home and is throwing objects at the police officers, and paramedics are called out to two separate cases involving children – one who could be having a cardiac arrest, and another who has suffered a head injury while cycling.

Season Five of Paramedics on Scene is on BBC Scotland at 9am on Sunday and repeated at 8pm on Tuesday. It is also available on BBC iPlayer.