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Tom McDonald

Tom McDonald Prior to joining NEAS in 2001, 58-year-old Tom, of Low Fell, worked down the mines. He also worked for a period as a Blue Coat at Pontins.

Working within our dispatch team at Newburn, is responsible for dispatching ambulances to those in need.

Q. What attracted you to the job?

A. I saw an advert in the Newcastle Evening Chronicle and thought it would be an adventure. I was right.

Q. What brings you to work every day?

A. I love everything about it but especially the people I work with, it's like a massive family.

Q. What is an average shift like?

A. I worry about all of my patients, and my priority is getting somebody to them as fast as I can; you feel a real sense of achievement when you get help to them.

Q. How do you feel about being part of the BBC Ambulance show?

A. I was really nervous about being part of it but actually you forget the cameras are there, it's really strange. I'm apprehensive about how I'll come across.

Q. Do any incidents featured in the show stick in your mind?

A. The refugee family featured in the first episode really stayed with me.

As Sophie said in the programme, you hear about it and you see it in the news, but, for me, it wasn’t until that point that it really became real. It reminded me how privileged we are.

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

A. I just hope it shows people the kind of pressure we're under and understand that we're all human, trying to do the best for our patients.