MORE than one million viewers tuned in to watch medics in the emergency department at Barnsley Hospital as they deal with critically ill patients.

Episode one of Casualty 24/7 aired on Channel Five on Wednesday.

Each episode is based around a shift with doctors, nurses and volunteers who reveal how what they are thinking when the ‘red phone rings’ and how they are affected by dealing with critically ill patients 24/7.

In Wednesday’s episode, severe weather put the department under more pressure than usual. Dr Julian Humphrey and tea member Sister Benita Wainwright cared for former miner Andrew, who has a chronic lung condition.

Covering the paediatric patients was consultant Dr Jane Acty.

The patient was four-year-old Teddy who was rushed in by paramedics after a sledging accident left a large gash on his head.

And volunteer Jane Allen patrolled the corridors administering Yorkshire’s best medicine a cup of tea and some laughter to patients waiting to be seen.

Hospital chairman Steve Wragg said: “I thought the show was fantastic and really encapsulated the care that we give and the way we deliver that care with humour.

“I also thought it encapsulated the spirit of the people of Barnsley.

“I shed a tear when the nurse was shedding a tear as well.”

In next week’s episode, young manager Tom has to use his charm to get the team to commit to working extra shifts.

Elsewhere, paramedics are concerned about a family that was involved in a road traffic accident, and consultant Julian treats a critically ill patient with undiagnosed symptoms.