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Hayley Robertson

Clinical care assistant Hayley, aged 28, was based in Newcastle at the time of filming but has now moved to Hexham station.

She had set out to become an accountant but the ability to make a difference and help people lured her into the ambulance service in 2016, and she initially joined us as a call handler before going out on the road.

Q. What brings you to work every day?

A. My crew mates and colleagues, without them I couldn’t keep coming to work.

Q. What is an average shift like?

A. Busy, busy, busy.  Sometimes you get emotional whiplash from going to very serious incidents and then dealing with primary care needs.

Q. What skills do you think people need to be able to do your job?

A. Be able to talk to people! This job is all about talking.  Whether that’s allaying someone’s fears, calming or comforting them in a stressful time or diffusing an aggressive situation.  And care.  Care passionately for the people of your area and your colleagues.

Q. What has it been like working through the pandemic?

Very hard.  Joe, my crew mate found it very hard living on his own and being so isolated so I gave him a lot of support. I think the innate pressure and fear put everyone at such a level of stress that it was harder to deal with the trauma of our job.

Q. What was it like being part of BBC Ambulance?

A. It was strange as it was work as normal for us but with an extra person on board.  Harry, our cameraman who came with us everywhere, was a great help and so respectful of our patients.  After the first accidental trip to the loo with the mic on we soon learnt how to switch them off!

I am really nervous about putting myself out there, what you see of me in the show is a very vulnerable woman who was going through a tough time but I hope that by showing the struggle, people feel they are not alone and can get help too.

Q. What impact do you hope the series will have in the North East?

I hope that it shows the real side to the North East – the gritty, determined and steadfast people who make the North East the best place to live