At age 11, Brendan was hit by a van while riding his bike. The accident put him in a coma for three months and left him an epileptic. Tonight's episode of RPA follows Brendan, now 41, as he pursues a normal life. Alongside this story is that of Rachel, a 22-year-old woman who has just been brought into ER after being "impacted by a bus at high speed".

Then there's 37-year-old mother of four Seraphina, who is getting a lung removed after she discovers she has mesothelioma.

This no-fuss observational series is good on several levels, starting with its take-no-prisoners portrait of doctors under pressure. It's also a high-grade reality check: there's nothing like watching others in pain to remind you that so long as you - or someone you love - is not critically ill, life is good.