Emergency 24/7 on BBC 2

[Wintom]

Goodness, that was an emotional watch last night.

How compassionate was Reston the consultant. He epitomises the wonderful doctors we have and had such difficult conversations with empathy and clarity. And Paul, even in such a dire state, kept his sense of humour and grace.

I kept thinking, I am glad this is not the USA, as Paul would not have stood a chance with health care.

it was a tough watch, but yes, the consultant and all the staff were excellent.

As a crisis worker, I do think it was good to share his story though- it highlights that whilst the intent to die was certainly there in the moment, afterwards, not so much, and he was accepting treatment. That ambivalence in someone who is suicidal is fairly common- unfortunately sometimes they are too unwell, and there is no way back, as Paul’s case showed.

He seemed a nice man- I hope he is at peace.

A really moving episode, very sensitively handled IMO. I am in complete awe of ICU staff, having recently experienced a family members extended stay. It takes a special person to be able to communicate with patients and families during such dire times, all whilst making complex clinical decisions.

This episode has given me pause around the ethics of filming these types of programmes though. I don't see how Paul could have given his informed consent to be filmed, nevermind being broadcast, and I know his family will have approved it but I don't know, it just makes me a bit 🤔 I'd love to understand more about how these productions are made and what the consent process looks like both pre and post production. Ultimately I think these types of programme are so important to make.

I was torn on this one too, @Rosecoffeecup - the care and compassion he received were exemplary (and very emotional for me having had the conversation with a ITU consultant at 3am about sedating and ventilating my dad without any guarantee that he'd ever wake up, which thankfully he did) - but it was a tough one to watch and potentially a bit too intrusive. It's important to talk about suicide and how it can often go very wrong (for the person seeking a quick end), though.

And yes, Reston was amazing. ITU staff truly are a breed apart.

Paul seemed such a nice man. The staff were amazing. I thought his family were as cold as Ice. Although it could just be the way it was edited. But they didn’t seem to care. Fortunately the staff certainly did care. They were excellent. It makes you realise how great the NHS can be.

I found that really really upsetting

Sitting here crying

So sad

Felt like we were intruding watching it at the same time

I didn't know it was going to be like that

I'm not sure I would have watched it if I knew it was going to be like that

I’m presuming that Paul did consent to filming.

It was a really interesting but hard to watch episode. I think it was important to show it and he must have wanted to die when facing the train but once at the hospital he didn't. Really sad, I am glad he received such amazing care from the NHS in his last moments.

That consultant was amazing, so caring and compassionate. I found it a very hard watch but I was so moved by the care that poor man had. This was the NHS at its very best. 💔

I thought the same regarding his family.

The body language was very negative and nothing nice or loving was said about him.

Of course we only saw brief moments but I have never watched a scene like this on any medical documentary so it was remarkable.

Paul talked about a "warring family" and had specified he only wanted his middle sister contacted so that makes me think there was an issue with the others.

I found it unbearably sad.

Paul was so accepting and uncomplaining and remained polite and decent throughout a truly awful experience.

Surely that says a lot about him.

I wondered what had happened to lead him to such a decision and I found myself picturing as the little boy he must once have been and wishing I could reach out and hold his hand.

I think that often people are very unsympathetic to what they view as self inflicted trauma but I think that anyone seeing Paul could not help but be moved and would hope he could be saved and his mind and whatever was going on in his life healed.

Sadly of course that wasn't possible.

I think they were in shock and Reston was as sensitive as possible in delivering bad news . Unless you have been through similar the family’s reaction may look cold but part of that is a self preserving detachment. Maybe there was history but noone wants to be told that their relative may not survive their injuries or needs to be ventilated with little prospect of waking again. The way Reston spoke to the liver transplant team did suggest that Paul’s prognosis was poor from the outset. I hope that the relatives got to spend time with Paul beforehand and he was given a dignified death.

Shocked and upset watching this programme! I sobbed and it disturbed my whole night’s sleep. I really felt sad for Paul, such a tragedy. He didn’t say much, but what he did say shocked me when he said, only tell a middle sister and his warring family. He was clearly an emotional man and things must have gotten so bad for him to take such a drastic step. The family were emotionless and didn’t say anything, although it could have been shock. It may have been edited that way, but they didn’t seem to respond to the Consultant who did a brilliant job. He’s the kind of man that you want fighting your corner, doing his utmost with dignity and kindness.

Paul may have survived if he hadn’t taken the overdose – that isn’t the best way if you may have second thoughts. He could have lived with his leg missing and I wondered if maybe he had changed his mind? We will never know. Powerful TV but not for the faint hearted. RIP Paul ❤️

Such incredibly compassionate care from Reston the consultant, as well as the nurse and the ITU team. What a sad story. At least Paul will have felt cared for at the end of his life. It’s hard to know what the family’s story is, but at least they came and were with him as he died. God bless our NHS.

So pleased John survived with those awful burns. Age was not on his side, but what a great positive attitude he had. I must admit I was behind a pillow when they started peeling his skin off.

Yesterday's wasn't an easy watch either

The man with burns seemed in such good spirits considering what happened!

Hard watching the family dealing with it all

I’m not squeamish but I could t watch that bit! John seemed lovely. I hope Ian continues to recover.

John was amazing 30% burns and he was still cheerful. I do hope Ian continues a good recovery. His family were lovely and so caring.

Yet again the NHS at its best. Those doctors and nurses are incredible.

It was fabulous that Ian survived , I really thought he wouldn’t . John was amazing , such humour and positivity in awful circumstances. I admit I didn’t realise the severity of burns .

The programme is showing us why universal healthcare is so important, our doctors really are brilliant at what they do. Yes i know we have waits but when it’s an emergency they really come into their own

I was a bit worried about the theatre wait time for the burns man when they were saying it

I’ve just watched the second episode and it was desperately sad. It was quite weird seeing Paul having a chat and being able
to drink water while being so desperately ill and critical. It really does show how damaging an overdose can be by the fact that the amputation was non urgent compared to the toxicity.

I can't believe how well they both looked at the end, its incredible. I am so glad Ian is walking, for someone of his age with a young family the thought of paralysis is just heartbreaking.

John the burns victim was amazing. So positive and grateful. A positive outcome for Ian too (relatively). It really is a brilliant programme. So humbling.

I'm still thinking about Paul and I watched it yesterday. I wouldn't have watched either.

Watched this week's episode in iplayer this morning - it's a bit gory

But as ever, the staff are just remarkable