The North East Ambulance Service is struggling to deal with an unprecedented volume of calls. The NHS faces chronic stresses and strains as frontline staff battle an increase in mental health problems, stretched public services and deepening poverty in the north east region.

A busy night shift for the North East Ambulance Service begins with an emergency call for a woman in labour. In Stockton, crewmates Hannah and Becky attend a 78-year-old female patient who has fallen down the stairs and suffered a seizure. In control, an urgent call is received for a 12-year-old female patient who has taken an overdose. The patient admits she has been struggling at school, which is having an impact on her mental health.

The service begins to feel the pressure of a busy night shift, with 45 calls waiting to be answered. Kristian and Francis are dispatched to an intoxicated male patient who put his head through a hotel window following an argument. Ollie and James have just cleared from their third job of the night when they're dispatched to an 89-year-old male vomiting and experiencing weakness.

This episode highlights the rising demand for mental health care across the north east, as ambulance crews respond to multiple emergency calls for patients battling with their mental health while attempting to navigate over-stretched services and feeling they have nowhere left to turn for help.