Everyday emergencies

BBC1 Paramedics, Fridays 1 to 29 July and 5 and 19 August

It is half way through the night shift, and central ambulance control in Newcastle upon Tyne receives a call to say that a lady has “collapsed” at home. Paul Chapman, one of Newcastle's paramedics and the focus of the new BBC1 series Paramedics explains the problems of such a call; “collapse” can mean anything from a cardiac arrest to someone who has had too much to drink. The patient on this occasion is in late middle age and complains of chest tightness. She tells Paul that she has not been taking her tablets. Her companion is unable to …