A series of programmes filmed in the regional major trauma centre (MTC) at Addenbrooke’s hospital, begins on BBC 1 on 13 June.

The series follows the complete journey of people who have suffered life threatening injuries, from the accident scene, through emergency treatment to recovery. Film crews were embedded in emergency teams including air ambulances, the Addenbrooke’s emergency department, critical care units and operating theatres to bring the drama of frontline medicine to the screen.

Dr Keith McNeil, Chief Executive of CUH, which includes Addenbrooke’s, said: “Decades of research has shown that specialised, expert and timely care for major trauma victims means that more lives are saved, and those patients whose lives are saved have better long term outcomes. We’re very proud to host the East of England’s new major trauma centre. This series gives a real flavour of life behind the scenes, and showcases what is the day to day reality of treating and caring for our most seriously injured patients.”

The show’s producers Twenty Twenty said: “There’s a revolution happening in the way life-threatening injuries are being treated across the country. This brand new series follows every step of the ground-breaking ‘chain of survival’ designed to save hundreds of extra lives every year.

The first regional ‘Major Trauma Network’ to become fully operational opened its doors to Life Savers, to capture the complete story of patients’ journeys from the roadside, through life saving surgery, to recovery.

Based in the world famous Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, this powerful documentary series captures the drama at the very limits of frontline medicine.”

East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust’s Interim director of clinical quality John Martin said: “This new series on the BBC outlines the fundamental importance of working together in a system to save patient’s lives. The ambulance service plays a critical part in this providing call taking, life saving instructions over the telephone, dispatching of resources, initial paramedics to the accident and critical care specialists as required. All of these are key first stages in the chain of survival and East of England Ambulance Service is pleased that the series recognises the professional role of staff at all stages”

Tim Page, Chief Executive of East Anglian Air Ambulance, said: “We are proud to be an important first step in the Major Trauma Network which provides expert care to some of the region’s sickest patients. Our highly trained doctor and paramedic team bring the emergency room to the patient at the scene of the incident ensuring that they receive the highest quality care at the earliest possibility thus giving a much greater chance of recovery or even survival. This BBC programme gives our supporters, who give to the Charity so generously, the chance to see how we turn their donations in to life saving pre-hospital emergency medical care. Now that we have been approved to attend night time missions, local people will also benefit from our service in the hours of darkness.”

The first programme will air at 21:00 at 13 June 2013.

If you’d like to know more about the work of the East Anglian Air Ambulance visit www.eaaa.org.uk or call 08450 669 999 to find out about the wide range of volunteering opportunities within the Charity, for help organising an event or details of how to join the lottery.  Follow us on Twitter at @EastAngliAirAmb or ‘like’ our Facebook page – East Anglian Air Ambulance Charity.