In this opening episode, operating theatre coordinator Niki is juggling the busiest month in five years for A&E. Patients are brought in with a suspected burst colon, self-inflicted injuries, and a dental abscess, while an 11-year-old boy is only hours away from potentially losing a testicle.

While Vanessa weighs the risks of major surgery, Emma is showing alarming symptoms and is rushed to theatre. But can the doctors identify what's wrong with Emma and what to do next?

The critical list team have difficult decisions to make. Heavy smoker David's leg is seriously at risk - which means that an urgent appendicitis case and a cancer patient must wait.