Channel 4 has commissioned Dragonfly Film & TV to deliver a fast-turnaround observational documentary series, Pandemic: Emergency (w/t). Filmed across three weeks, this three-part documentary series will capture how West Midlands Ambulance Service is dealing with the unprecedented challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cameras will capture the day to day realities of the NHS as they manage the global pandemic on the frontline. Edited and broadcast within weeks of filming, the fast turnaround episodes will bring audiences up close to the realities of managing one of the biggest and busiest ambulance service trusts in the country. With exceptional access, the series will show the daily decisions being made in the NHS and witness what it’s like to provide urgent medical care to the West Midlands.

This series will show the ambulance service dealing with over four thousand 999 calls a day, which is a fifteen percent increase and up to eight thousand 111 calls a day which more than double the number of calls normally. With a rapidly building call volume we show what it takes to keep the ambulance service running during this once in a generation crisis.

West Midlands Ambulance Service Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh, said:

“Allowing Channel 4 access to WMAS will enable us to show the extraordinary lengths that staff in every part of our organisation are going to, to meet the challenge of coronavirus head on.  I am immensely proud of the work my staff are doing every single day to ensure we provide world class care and save lives.”

Richard Bond, Creative Director for Dragonfly Film & TV said:

“Our exclusive access to the West Midlands Ambulance Service will give viewers an insight into how staff operate on the frontline during this unprecedented crisis, showing the absolutely vital role they play in helping to manage the threat across the country.” 

Fozia Khan, Commissioning Editor Channel 4 said:

“We are very grateful to West Midlands Ambulance Service for giving us this privileged access to document their incredible work and show our viewers the reality of their jobs at this most challenging of times.”