Episode 4

At Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the Day Surgery Unit sees a high proportion of elderly patients. Bed 23 is ready for retired builder, 73-year-old Peter, who has come in with his daughter Wendy. Peter is having a biopsy because doctors are worried that his prostate cancer may have spread to his bladder.

Over in the Great North Children's Hospital in Newcastle paediatric bed 27 is ready to see its next patient. Nine-year-old Sonny has come in with mum Julie, with a suspected broken finger after trying to save a ball at a summer camp football match. He's got a football tournament at the weekend and is worried he won't be able to compete.

In the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, the A&E department is under pressure. 37-year-old Kenza has been brought through to bed 9. Over the last six months he's rapidly lost the use of his right arm and leg, which is affecting his ability to be an active dad with his three-year-old son. Wife Dawn is at his side, and with symptoms worsening, they are concerned about what the future holds.

Back in the Great North Children's Hospital in Newcastle, paediatric bed 27 is having a busy day. It's next patient is 11-year-old Neci who has been brought in by her mum Sharon, with a lump on her elbow after banging it on a metal table at school. Neci seriously damaged her elbow when she was two, so mum Sharon is concerned the knock has aggravated the old injury.