GARETH DAVIES

Programme aims

To raise awareness:

• that straight A grades are not needed to pursue a medical career
• that becoming a doctor doesn't mean you don't have a social life
• that what makes a good doctor is often not taught in school; it's about communicating and having empathy for others
• that the reward of being a doctor is knowing how important it is

Curriculum Relevance

This programme can be used and discussed in conjunction with courses in criminology, sociology, urban development, human biology, psychology, education, and health and safety issues.

• England & Wales
• Northern Ireland
• Scotland

Programme Outline

00-00.59
Introduction to Dr. Gareth Davies: as an emergency doctor he responds to accidents, shootings and stabbings by helicopter. He gets a big buzz from pressure and trying to save people's lives. How you don't need straight As at school to be a doctor. He earns £71,000 a year and owns a Ducati motorcycle.

01.00-01.50
There is a constant feeling of suspense while on duty - you never know what to expect. Suddenly, en emergency call: a van has hit a cyclist. Gareth heads off to the accident.

01.51-05.05
Gareth outlines the role of HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) while en route to a call. Accident victim Donna is transferred from the roadside to the helicopter. Gareth is worried about her injuries - they could be life threatening. He explains 'the golden hour' - the time after which injuries, if not treated well, can lead to death.

05.06-06.39
History 1: Gareth was born and raised on the Isle of Man. He realised after witnessing motor sport accidents how the injured needed medical intervention from the accident site. At the time, there was no career choice available to Gareth: you either went into the fire service or became a doctor. Gareth chose the medical route, hoping one day to treat people at the roadside.

06.40-08.39
Gareth now runs HEMS and the A & E unit of Barts Royal London Hospital. Understanding all areas of medicine allows you to be hit with anything and have to deal with everything. In emergency medicine most doctors are juniors, their first year out of medical school. It's Gareth's job to make sure no one is sent home inappropriately. He shoulders a lot of responsibility.

08.40-11.36
Donna is flown in to the A & E. Gareth lets Donna know what's going to happen as they're bringing her down to Triage. A trauma team is assembled. Gareth hands Donna over to the surgical team headed by Dr. Alistair Wilson. Things don't look good for Donna.

11.37-14.17
History 2: At 18, Gareth went to Sheffield Medical School. At first he was squeamish about blood, and insecure about his abilities. During final exams in medical school, Gareth thought he had failed. He later reflects, that sometimes people see things in you that you don't even know they're looking for. He is given the title of doctor - a huge sense of accomplishment.

14.18-15.33
Gareth is also licensed to drive a fast response car through the streets of London.

15.34-18.03
At 27, Gareth failed to get a medical post. He remembers driving home after the interview half-crying, frustrated and feeling lost. Gareth applies for another emergency medical position with HEMS. This time he gets the job; his dream of flying to accidents has come true.

18.04-19.51
Emergency call: a stabbing. Gareth states that you must be a team player to give the most professional care to a patient. Gareth and paramedics treat the stabbing victim on location and fly him back to the hospital. He lives.

19.52-21.04
During his day off, Gareth takes his three sons karting. He's an adrenaline junky. Gareth relays how some cases stick with you emotionally, but part of the payoff in being a doctor is understanding how important the job is.

21.05-End
A month after being discharged, Donna returns to the hospital to thank Gareth for saving her life. Gareth exclaims that if you enjoy the sciences, biology, a bit of human interaction and empathy for others, medicine is a fantastic career.