Episode 11

Each programme in this series focuses on the dramatic stories of patients treated within the same 24-hour period at the Emergency Department of King's College Hospital, London, one of Britain's busiest A&Es. In this episode, 78-year-old Reginald is dangerously ill. He woke up with severe stomach pain, and the A&E team have concluded that his condition is life-threatening. But can they save him? a retired dock worker who is now his wife's carer, Reginald suffers from diabetes. King's doctors Firas and André suspect that part of his gut may have died and that without immediate surgery he won't survive. There are risks but, as André says: 'compared to your risk of dying without it, that risk pales into insignificance in my view.' Firas recently qualified as a consultant at King's: 'It's a bit clichéd but, yes, I have always wanted to be a doctor - ever since I had my tonsils out at the age of five and my parents bought me a Fisher Price doctor's kit.' Reminded of his own father passing away, Firas becomes increasingly concerned about his patient. 'It is hard when you see a strong man who's suddenly become very vulnerable,' he says. Meanwhile, other patients include Richard, who has twisted his knee moon-walking in a club, and a young cyclist brought in unconscious after coming off his bike. Series.