Channel 4’s Emergency documentary returns

The major trauma centre at St Mary’s Hospital, run by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, is part of a unique network of hospitals, air ambulances and paramedics that provides a safety net for 10 million people in London. It’s known as London's major trauma system and treats over 12,000 people with the most serious injuries each year. Over the last five years, the system has improved survival rates for major trauma patients by 50 per cent, saving an estimated 610 lives.

Channel 4 will once again give viewers the chance to see inside the London major trauma system, with the third series of Emergency, airing Monday 12 August 2024. The documentary series took a powerful and unflinching look at the challenges and achievements of these collaborative teams, and the patients and families they treated and cared for. Over four episodes, which were filmed in summer 2022, cameras followed the minute-by-minute decisions that trauma teams make to treat the most serious cases: from life-saving interventions at the road-side to A&E critical care, and from cutting-edge surgery to painstaking rehabilitation.

More information on each episode and our amazing staff and patients will follow. In the meantime read more about this extraordinary system featured in previous series and in interviews with some of the outstanding staff working in the Imperial College Healthcare’s major trauma pathway and emergency department.

Watch episode one

London’s Air Ambulance service rushes to help Joao, a man who has been in a collision with a bus. Paramedics race to the scene of a car accident, where accountant Jeymi has a broken femur. Lance Corporal Lee arrives at the Royal London Hospital for treatment following a paragliding accident. Finally, the team at St Mary’s investigate Louie’s leg injuries and find an arterial bleed which requires immediate surgery.

Watch episode two 

As Jeymi and Louie prepare for surgery at St Mary’s, João undergoes surgery at King’s College Hospital. London Ambulance Service continues helping patients across the city, such as motorcyclist Tyler.

Watch episode three 

At the Royal London Hospital, paratrooper Lee has been lying in traction for two weeks to prepare for yet another operation on his spine and pelvis. At St George’s Hospital, 86-year-old Veronica is recovering following a car accident. Heidi undergoes surgery at St Mary’s Hospital following a vicious dog attack. Finally, 56-year-old plasterer Lee arrives at the Royal London Hospital via helicopter following a very serious car accident.

Watch episode four 

In the final episode, delivery driver Maurilio is rushed to St Mary’s Hospital following a road traffic accident while Ronald is transferred to King’s College Hospital to treat a serious bleed in his abdomen.