The critical list team face a busy 48-hour period as they juggle complex patients and a succession of life-or-death emergency operations. Sixty-one-year-old Vanessa must decide if she wants to risk major surgery. Emma, a non-verbal young woman with Rett syndrome, is showing alarming symptoms and is rushed to theatre. But doctors struggle to identify precisely what is wrong with Emma. And keen horserider Julie has been waiting for three days for surgery on an abscess. But the doctors just can't find a space on their busy critical list.

In this episode, operating theatre co-ordinator Niki is juggling the busiest month in five years for A&E. Kevin has a suspected burst colon. Tanzeen has self-inflicted injuries with three needles in his neck. Eleven-year-old Deekan is only hours away from potentially losing a testicle and is rushed to theatre. And Freddie must have a dental abscess removed before any infection spreads.