A DOCUMENTARY series following frontline staff from North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) has aired.

BBC's award-winning Ambulance returned to screens last night (August 11).

The programme follows NEAS as they provide vital urgent and emergency pre-hospital care across the region.

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Each of the 12 60-minute episodes features the work of ambulance staff and patients they treat during one particular shift, following them in real-time.

NEAS employs more than 2,900 people and covers 3,200 square miles across the North-East, serving a population of 2.7 million people.

In 2021/22, the service answered more than 1.15m emergency 999 and NHS 111 calls, with more than 270,000 patients taken to hospital, more than 48,000 patients treated and discharged over the phone and more than 115,000 patients treated and discharged at home. It responded to more than 22,000 C1 serious and life-threatening incidents in seven minutes.

NEAS chief executive Helen Ray said: “The programme really shows how amazing our teams are in their care and treatment of patients. It highlights the dedication and commitment from every member of team NEAS as they strive to give the best quality care to every patient they meet. I’m incredibly proud of them all and would like to thank them for representing our service so well.

“Each episode shines a light on the wide range of patient needs faced by our service – whether that be emergency response for life-threatening illness, support for mental health or social care needs, or alcohol and drug use. It shows clearly the pressure faced by our service and the wider health network around us, and the dedication of our brilliant staff to do their best.

“I hope this series of Ambulance also serves to inspire and encourage people to consider joining our service. Working for the ambulance service is so much more than a job, it’s a chance to really make a difference."