Emergency Channel 4: New London Air Ambulance documentary

The new show Emergency will air on Tuesday evening (August 15) at 9pm and will air over two weeks.

From roadside critical care from paramedics, through resuscitation to intensive care units, and from surgery to rehabilitation, the series reflects the variety of specialist treatment that goes into saving patients’ lives.

Cosmo Scurr, 39, is a born and bred Londoner currently living in the Shepherd’s Bush area who is featured in the brand new documentary, giving people an insight into his life at work.

He said that the documentary is set to show people the collaborative efforts of emergency services from the 999 call to getting someone the treatment they urgently need.

Cosmo is an anaesthetist at St Mary’s Hospital in west London but also works for London’s Air Ambulance as a consultant.

In Cosmo’s case, he was with London’s Air Ambulance as the service was called to a man who was trapped underneath the wheel of an HGV.

He said: “The purpose of the show was filming everyone in the entire process.

“It is quite important to remember it is collaborative and we are helping each other to help these patients, we want people to see that.

“It is the patient’s story, it’s not my story. It’s all about them.”

Cosmo also said that London’s Air Ambulance is an incredible organisation that a lot of people might not even realise is a charity.

Not only does travelling by helicopter allow services to get there faster, but he explained that the air ambulance is equipped with specialist care tools and materials.

Cosmo added: “It is difficult, high pressure and challenging work but it is an absolute privilege.

“You work with these amazing people and really work as a team and then you have got these amazing particularly pilots who get us there safely and rapidly.

“At the end of the day, I get to make someone’s day better and it’s such a privilege to get to make someone’s horrible day a little bit better.”

Cosmo worked as a consultant for the air ambulance for 18 months after he started with the charity back in January 2022.

He has also worked with other air ambulances around the country.

His grandfather was an anaesthetist during the second world war, inspiring Cosmo to follow in his footsteps.

Another emergency the show gives viewers the chance to see unfold is when Pete Kingsley races to help 13-year-old Alicia who has crashed an electric scooter into a lamppost in central London.

The handlebar has penetrated her thigh and she is faced with a possible broken leg.

“Walking, running, high jumping – all the things she loves to do – could be affected by this injury,” Pete adds.

Meanwhile in south east London, advanced paramedic James Rouse is dispatched to 87-year-old June, who had lost her balance stepping into a taxi.

He finds June lying on the road with an open ankle fracture – “one of the worst” he’s ever seen.

James tries to restore blood flow and takes June to the major trauma centre at King’s College Hospital where specialist surgeons need to work quickly to try to save her foot.

The London Major Trauma System was set up in 2010 to provide better care for patients with life-threatening or life-changing injuries. It treats more than 12,000 patients a year and has improved survival rates for major trauma patients by 50 per cent.   

Newsquest London appeal

London Air Ambulance medics perform life-saving treatment for patients who are critically injured with life-threatening or life-changing injuries. But the charity is up against time to replace its fleet of helicopters by next year and needs your support. Click here to donate to the appeal.

Daniel Elkeles, chief executive at London Ambulance Service, said: “London’s trauma network is an incredible partnership with our NHS colleagues, including Barts Health and London’s Air Ambulance.

Watching our brilliant staff in this series is going to be really special.

“Our medics are experts at treating the most critically ill patients, bringing a range of pioneering skills to the scene to ensure that patients can make the best possible recovery when we convey them to trauma centres and hospitals.

“I can’t wait for the nation to see our ambulance crews at their very best. If you’re inspired by what you see, why not consider a career at the UK’s busiest ambulance service?

“You could make a different to the lives of Londoners every single day – much like those on seen on Emergency.”

This series was filmed during a very busy two weeks at the end of July 2022, filming 24/7 with London Ambulance Service, London’s major trauma centres, London’s Air Ambulance Charity and two trauma units – William Harvey in Kent and North Middlesex Hospital.

Emergency will broadcast over four nights on Tuesday, August 15, Wednesday, August 16, Tuesday, August 22 and Wednesday, August 23 on Channel 4 at 9pm and available to stream on Channel 4.