Portsmouth ambulance crews to star on TV tonight in show Inside The Ambulance

Crews from South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) base in Cosham will be the stars of Inside the Ambulance – Coast and Country, which will be broadcast on the W Channel this evening.

Staff were filmed over eight weeks at the start of 2020 using body-worn cameras and cameras mounted across the ambulance.

One of the members who took part was paramedic, Mercedes Bateman.

She said: ‘I really enjoyed taking part in the programme. Although I’m not usually a fan of being filmed or recorded, it was an honour to be able to share a small part of the job that I love with everyone and highlight the varied nature of the incidents and patients we go to.

‘I’m incredibly proud to work as a paramedic for SCAS and it will be great to show viewers the brilliant care and service that we provide for people in Portsmouth and south east Hampshire when they need us.’

Over the course of filming period, which also took place at SCAS’ Oxford City Resource Centre, at both bases, the cameras followed 112 shifts completed by 67 frontline staff.

Emergency care assistant Ali Alves added: ‘I’m really proud to work as an emergency care assistant for SCAS and feel it has been a privilege to be involved with the programme to show the general public just what our day involves. Every shift there are some incredible stories to tell, although sometimes they can be full of sadness as well as joy.

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‘I hope viewers enjoy watching some of the amazing patients we help, as well as getting to know some of the team.’

The show was due to broadcast over the summer but was rescheduled with the first episode airing tonight at 8pm this evening.

The series will run each weeknight for two weeks.

The W Channel is on channel 109 on Sky and 125 on Virgin.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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