Critical Condition

It's a busy night for trauma team leader Julie Norton, who is juggling two life-threatening cases who arrive at the emergency department within minutes of each other. Both have potentially fatal hidden injuries. Lewis, 18, is an emergency transfer from another hospital and has suffered a cardiac arrest after being stabbed in the chest with a 20cm kitchen knife. While his life has been saved by open heart massage, Julie knows that there's a huge risk that he has suffered other internal injuries in the attack that may be still be bleeding, and she must act fast before his condition deteriorates again. At the same time, Welsh farmer Eric arrives in huge pain after being headbutted by his favourite cow. While Eric's laboured breathing immediately suggests a chest injury, Julie is also worried about any other damage that might not be so obvious. A CT scan reveals a bleeding artery in Eric's liver and the race is on to get him to surgery before it's too late. For Vivienne, too, time is of the essence. She's been diagnosed with an aneurism in one of the body's major vessels and has a ‘ticking time bomb' in her head she's worried will erupt. For surgeon Dr Nayak, there's not a moment to lose, as he knows that if Vivienne's artery bursts, her chances of survival are slim. Finally, Andy is brought in with multiple injuries after a motorcycle accident. With broken ribs, spinal fractures and chest injuries, Julie Norton breaks the news to his wife and teenage family that while Andy has miraculously avoided paralysis, it's likely that his condition will deteriorate before he improves.