King’s to feature in new Netflix series

26 June 2025 - ‘Critical: Between Life and Death’ to drop on 23 July

A new documentary series featuring the work of the major trauma team at King’s College Hospital will be available to watch on Netflix this July.

Critical: Between Life and Death, explores the work of London’s Major Trauma Network and gets inside the minds of the dedicated trauma teams that hold patients’ lives in their hands when the worst happens.

With exclusive access, 40 cameras were embedded for 21 days across the entire London Major Trauma System. The documentary series goes over the shoulder and under the scalpel to reveal not only the life-saving interventions but also the personal, emotional, and sometimes traumatic reasons that inspire those on the NHS frontline to do a job where every second counts.

The series covers compelling, real-life stories of seriously injured patients and the highly skilled and compassionate clinical teams who come together to provide innovative treatment and life-saving care.

Mr Ibraheim El-Daly, Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon at King’s, who features in Critical: Between Life and Death, said: “The London Trauma System provides access to round-the-clock, expert, life-saving care to those who need it, bringing key clinical specialities together to give the most seriously unwell patients the very best chance of survival and a meaningful recovery. I am very proud to be a part of it.”

Dr Malcolm Tunnicliff, Clinical Director for Major Trauma and Consultant in Emergency Medicine at King’s, added, “The major trauma service at King’s treats some of the most unwell patients in south-east England. From injuries sustained in road traffic accidents and falls to stab wounds and serious assaults, our team of specialists are here 24/7 to care for the critically injured patients who need us most.”

In April 2010, London became the first area in the UK to implement a regional major trauma system, ensuring the highest-quality care for its population of 10 million people. Since then, the Major Trauma Network has established a world-leading reputation for improving survival of the most seriously injured patients.

It is a unique network of 39 hospitals, led by Major Trauma Centres at King’s College Hospital together with St Mary’s Hospital, The Royal London Hospital and St George’s Hospital, alongside 35 Major Trauma Units. The network also comprises emergency response teams, including London Ambulance Service, London’s Air Ambulance and Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex.

All episodes of Critical: Between Life and Death will be available to watch on Netflix from 23 July. Watch the trailer below.