Casualty 24/7

Sister Jane has started her shift and has just walked onto the floor to find that every single area of the department is full, with 90 patients in need of help from the casualty team.

As if it wasn't busy enough inside the department, there's now a problem outside too. Doctor Jake Mullen and a team of nurses have been alerted to an 86-year-old screaming in pain in the car park. Mary has fallen over landing badly on her hip and once she's placed onto a trolley is rushed straight to resus. Doctor Mullen must work quickly to find out whether her injuries could be life threatening.

Another emergency is on the way. Paramedics are blue-lighting in a 54-year-old who's had back-to back seizures at home. The last time this happened abscesses were found on Paul's brain. Although Paul now appears well, there are too many red flags. Nurse Aleena immediately asks Doctor Hridesh Chatha to assess him. If the abscesses have come back, Paul is in danger of needing emergency brain surgery.

On busy days like today, the team of volunteers like Jane, play a vital role in keeping the department moving. One of the most vital jobs the volunteers help with is keeping the patients who are staying the longest, fed and watered.

Over in Paediatrics, four-year-old Kian may have broken his thumb after a fall. His mum Becky is with him and waiting to find out what the damage is. Nurse Greg assesses him and orders an urgent x-ray.

And paramedics are bringing in an 80-year-old who's been struggling to breathe. Advanced Clinical Practitioner Chantelle heads to Cubicle 4. Patricia's oxygen levels are worryingly low, so she needs to quickly find the reason why.

It's Bank Holiday weekend, but for the team at Barnsley Casualty it's business as usual. They're bracing themselves for a chaotic day and in charge of the shift is Sister Jane alongside Consultant James Griffiths. To make matters worse Barnsley are playing a key football match and once it's over they expect the patient numbers to suddenly rise.

The first emergency is on its way: 52-year-old Maggie is being rushed in after a serious car crash. Doctor Griffiths started treating this patient before he even clocked on, as the accident happened near to where he lives. Maggie has the bone disease osteoporosis, and it's suspected that she's badly broken her leg.

Over in Minors is the latest addition to the Barnsley Casualty team: Emergency Nurse Practitioner Clare. Her next patient is 70-year-old Stephen, who's suffered a deep wound to his head after falling over while walking his neighbour's dog. Emergency Nurse Practitioner Clare needs to remove every piece of grit embedded in his skin to avoid the wound becoming infected.

Back in the Hub, Sister Jane is trying to coordinate a crowded department, while Doctor Griffiths is wading through a sea of patients. His next is 26-year-old Jordan who's hurt his hand while riding a motocross bike. If he has broken a bone, it could have a major effect on his livelihood.

In paediatrics is another casualty of a sunny weekend. Nine-year-old Harrison has come in with dad Nathan, after being badly sunburnt from a day at the beach. Advanced Nurse Practitioner Liam is on hand to look after him.

Sister Harriet is assisted by sisters Benita, Jane and Jo for the hottest day of the year so far, with both walk-in and ambulance patients queuing up rapidly. Paramedics blue-light in a 61-year-old, who's doubled over in pain, Dr Jake Mullen preps for his arrival. An ambulance brings in 90-year-old Hazel, who's fallen and may have damaged her hip and neck.

Sister Rachel is in charge of the hub, every patient should have an initial assessment, called a triage, within 15 minutes of arrival, but an influx of patients has meant the wait time is longer. A 67-year-old diabetic has dangerously high blood sugar levels, putting him at risk of a diabetic coma and five-year-old Seb is struggling to stay awake after a bump to his head.

There's a shortage of space on the specialist wards that admit casualty patients, meaning the department is at risk of complete gridlock. Brian's in terrible pain after a bad fall at work, so consultant Bharath Reddy comes in to assess the damage. An ambulance rushes in an elderly woman who has been vomiting blood, so Doctor Jake Mullen prepares resus for her arrival.

Physician Associate Adele oversees 97-year-old Jim's treatment, who has suspected multiple organ failure and an 83-year-old man suffering from severe abdominal pain is seen by junior Dr Josh Gemmill. In minor injuries, Anthony is rushed in by his partner Lisa, following an accident demolishing a bathroom, when a shard of porcelain sliced open his leg.

There's been an influx of patients overnight, creating a huge backlog in the department and there's another emergency on its way. A lorry has tipped over on its side in a country lane and the driver, Karl, is rushed in. An 82-year-old is rushed in after they were found collapsed at home and 28-year-old Kial and his partner Becky wait to be seen after he sliced his fingertips preparing lunch.