Channel 5 will air a brand new episode of its documentary series 999: Critical Condition tonight (August 12) at 9pm. The show, which returned earlier this year for its sixth run, takes viewers inside a real-life hospital and to the frontline of emergencies as doctors work around the clock to save lives.
Tonight's Episode
Tonight's episode plunges viewers into an emergency where a young mother collapsed and banged her head. Unconscious and struggling to breathe on her own, doctors fight against the clock to save the 25-year-old and determine what caused the medical episode. Elsewhere, an 82-year-old is at risk of pneumonia after sustaining serious injuries, and a young man faces the possibility he may never walk again.
A synopsis reads: "A woman fights for her life after an unexplained collapse, a young man fears he may never walk again after a car crash, and an 82-year-old faces the risk of pneumonia after sustaining multiple chest injuries. At QE Birmingham Hospital, doctors race to determine the cause of a young mother's collapse, assess a potentially life-changing spinal injury, and treat serious injuries following a fall from a ladder."
Series Background
Previously filmed at Royal Stoke University Hospital, 999: Critical Condition is a nationally acclaimed series that follows patients in life-threatening situations, giving viewers unprecedented access into some of the UK's major trauma units. The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham previously wrote on their website: "Cameras were granted extraordinary access to the hospital's emergency department, including the resuscitation unit, intensive care unit, operating theatres and specialist wards. Viewers will see a wide range of illnesses and injuries, including patients treated following road traffic collisions, falls from height, burns, asthma attacks and cardiac arrests."
Critical Praise
First airing in 2020, the series continues to draw high praise. One viewer wrote on social media: "#999CriticalCondition on @channel5_tv, those surgeons wow!" Another penned: "#999CriticalCondition about to start on C5, this is a brilliant TV show." A third commented: "Wow that looks brilliant." Another stated: "you have to watch it to believe it," while a fifth echoed: "Jeez these guys are amazing beyond belief. I am crying my eyes out at them, they are all heroes and I'm so appreciative."
The Guardian previously called it the "most nerve-shreddingly hardcore hospital doc ever," with reviewer Jack Seale saying: "This no-holds-barred series vividly conveys the life and death drama of being an emergency doctor."
999: Critical Condition returns tonight at 9pm on Channel 5.
