Review: Ambulance (BBC One and iPlayer) ★★★★
15 series in and last night’s episode of Ambulance on BBC One and iPlayer once again proved why this series remains the very best within its genre. Heartwarming, tearjerking, shocking, and utterly fascinating, the programme offers an unparalleled window into the high-stakes world of Yorkshire’s paramedics and call handlers.
As the day shift begins, viewers are immediately thrust into the chaos of Yorkshire’s busiest roads, where rush hour incidents account for almost a quarter of the ambulance service’s workload. From the moment a 17-year-old, Joey, is knocked off his motorbike to the terrifying call reporting a five-year-old struck on his way to school, the show demonstrates both the relentless pressure of the job and the calm, expert professionalism of the crews. Paramedic Kerrie and ambulance practitioner Kirsty attend Joey with care, skillfully managing his severe leg pain before racing him on blue lights to Leeds General Infirmary. Meanwhile, crew members Jen and Steph soothe a terrified young Harry, showing the compassion and reassurance that underpin the team’s work.
The episode’s intensity never wavers. Kirsty and Kerrie are called to a 57-year-old man experiencing heart attack symptoms. As the tension escalates, viewers witness the rapid, life-saving decisions required when an ECG reveals a blockage—culminating in a coordinated effort with cardiology specialists ready at Leeds General Infirmary. Later, a visit to a 75-year-old woman with chest pain provides one of the episode’s most moving moments. The story of Jennifer, battling Alzheimer’s, and her devoted husband Rod is profoundly affecting, offering a glimpse of unconditional love amidst the everyday urgency of ambulance work.
Even in high-pressure moments, the series captures the unpredictability of the job. A harrowing acid attack call turns out to be a hallucination, highlighting the mental and emotional strain on call handlers like Maisie, and the importance of teamwork and support within the control room. Amid these tense moments, life-affirming emergencies punctuate the day: a pregnant woman goes into labour, and the birth of her baby unfolds with joyful relief under the guidance of critical care paramedic Rachel.
The final moments of the episode balance intensity with warmth, as Kirsty and Kerrie respond to 92-year-old Peter, who fears a heart attack. His tales of a globetrotting dancing career and his ballroom demonstration bring laughter and lightness, a reminder that life continues even amid chaos.
From high-speed collisions to medical emergencies and the miracle of new life, last night’s Ambulance captured the extraordinary dedication, skill, and humanity of Yorkshire’s paramedics. It’s a series that shocks, moves, and fascinates in equal measure, and once again proves itself to be the finest documentary of its kind on television.