Someone to Love Doctors

You all set for your observation then?

-Yep.

-Drop-in, as well. Nasty. You could get anyone coming in through that door.

Nasty? Oh yeah, that's cos you can't cope unless you memorise all the cases in advance.

Er, no, mate, I think that's you.

Have you actually got anything useful to say?

-No.

-Then bog off and play with your phone.

-Oh, you look nice.

-Not really.

-Yes, you do.

-You've done something different.

-No.

Um...earrings?

They look stupid, don't they?

No, don't... That's a shame.

-Morning.

-Morning.

Hands off till later.

-It's not your birthday.

-No.

Could you, er, spread the word for everyone to be around at lunchtime.

THEY GIGGLE

-Dr Cassidy, you are early.

-I wanted to make a head start.

Busy, busy. Oh, I meant to say,

I saw your friend Gladys at her nursing home.

-Oh, how is she?

-She's had a little fall, I'm afraid.

She's fine physically, it's just she's a bit confused.

She'll be worse now she's away from her own surroundings.

You're probably right. Still, it's the best place for her.

Best place for the medical authorities, you mean.

You mustn't feel guilty, Mrs Tembe.

It wasn't your job to look after her.

Well, it is done now anyway.

Life moves on. People move on, new ones take their place.

Maybe we should embrace change and not mourn the past.

-Cherry's bought cakes! I sense an announcement.

-How thrilling(!) I wonder what that could be?

Well, it's obvious, isn't it?

She's either getting married or she's pregnant.

She has been putting on weight.

-Has she?

-You'd think a nurse would know about contraception, though.

-Who's to say it wasn't planned? Isn't marriage rather passe these days?

-Absolutely.

It's all a conspiracy of card shops and florists designed to con you out of 20 grand.

20 grand? Where have you been living?

-A mate of mine did it in Barbados.

-How original(!)

It's cheaper because you can get the guests to pay for themselves.

Or there's Lapland.

-A mate of mine did that as well.

-What fascinating circles you move in.

Got bitten by a husky. Cleaned up in compensation, though.

Have you considered wedding planning as an alternative career?

Aren't we rather jumping the gun? I mean, we don't even know they're getting married yet.

KNOCKING

This is Lynette Patterson.

Hello.

Lynette. And how are you today?

Yeah, all right

Any more little friends?

It wasn't fleas.

I asked my friend who's a nurse, she said it was my washing powder.

And have you still got the cat?

-No, he ran away.

-I see.

Well, take a seat. This is Dr Wilson.

She'll be taking your consultation today. I'll just be observing.

So, forget that I'm here.

Um, hi, I'm Dr Wilson.

You know that already.

-How can I help you?

-Erm.

I had a...

An accident last night.

-OK?

-With a thingy.

-Thingy?

-Johnny.

-Condom?

-Yeah, it split.

-Right.

-So I've come for the pill thingy, just in case.

-So you want emergency contraception.

-That's what I said.

Have you taken it before?

Yeah, once, ages ago.

And when was your last period?

Two weeks ago. That's why I come straight in, cos that's the time you have to be careful, innit?

Yes, no, you did good to act straight away.

The pill that I'm going to give you is effective for 72 hours.

But it's got a higher success rate the sooner you take it. You might feel sick, that's totally normal.

But if you are sick within the first two hours

-then give us a call cos you might need to take another pill.

-OK.

There might be some bleeding,

and your period might be a little bit late.

-OK. Thanks.

-Hang on, we need to talk about contraception.

-Do we?

-Yeah.

The emergency type is just for emergencies, not normal prevention.

I do know all that.

Oh, you do?

Then you know that condoms are slightly less effective than other methods,

as you've found out.

Look, easiest thing is the contraceptive implant.

It's a flexible little rod that's inserted under the skin in your arm.

-No, thanks. I don't want anything in me.

-OK.

Well, there's the pill. By pill we normally mean the combined type.

-I don't want the pill either, it gives me headaches.

-Headaches?

Do you mean migraines?

Cos if that's the case you might be better off with the POP variety. Do you smoke?

Can I just have the prescription?

Or there's the female condom?

My husband'd love that. It doesn't matter, I'll get it somewhere else.

-Hey, what's the matter? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you.

-I'm all right.

No, you're not.

Please, sit down.

Just take a few breaths.

Is there anything else that you want to talk about?

No.

Are you sure?

What about things at home? How are things with your husband?

Yeah, fine.

All right, you know. I don't know why I'm crying.

Hey, it's fine. You take as long as you need.

Why don't we let Mrs Patterson compose herself in reception?

-She's fine here. We haven't got any other patients.

-Fine.

-If you will excuse me.

-Can I see?

That is really nasty.

Not condensed milk. You silly, silly woman.

Is this another one of your creations?

It is for Dr Clay and Nurse Malone.

I cannot be at the announcement but I can make them a cake.

You don't know what they're going to say yet.

Congratulations, consolations,

the ingredients are the same.

Can't argue with that, I suppose.

So what's the secret recipe then?

It is not complete.

There is something missing but I cannot remember.

Why don't you just Google it?

I do not Google.

I have made this recipe a hundred times.

Sugar, butter and flour, that's all I know.

That does not surprise me.

It's the thought that counts.

If someone's prepared to go to all that trouble on my account,

-it wouldn't matter if the end result's inedible.

-Dr Cassidy,

have you not got something to do?

Are you all right, Mrs Tembe?

How did this happen?

-I fell over.

-You fell over?

-Yeah.

On your face?

-I tripped... I tripped over something.

-OK.

Are you hurt anywhere else?

No.

Are you sure?

-What about internally?

-What?!

-No.

Anything that you tell me is completely confidential.

You can tell me anything you want to.

Lynette, when you said you had intercourse last night, was it consensual?

-Dr Wilson, a word.

-I should go. I need to go and see my friend.

Lynette, please, please don't...

-Why did you let her go?

-What the hell were you asking her?

She's been raped. It's obvious.

How is it obvious? What planet are you on?

She came in asking for emergency contraception.

She wasn't opening up, she was hiding something.

-She didn't want to listen to you going on about jabbing rods in her arm.

-Yeah, but why?!

Because it's the last thing on her mind. If she'd been punched in the face by her Neanderthal husband.

-You don't know anything about him.

-She was about to disclose.

She couldn't wait to get out of here!

If you weren't so hung up on your own agenda, Freya.

You are so blinkered! You just can't see it.

It's the blame culture, you don't trust your own instincts.

My instincts are in very good nick, thank you very much.

would you like me to tell you what they're telling me about you, right now?!

I think I should get some fresh air.

Come on, chop chop, we're mustering the troops.

-I hope they get this over with quickly, I'm starving.

-Have a cake.

I don't eat pink food.

See - sugar cravings.

Lustrous hair.

-What?

-The signs of pregnancy. Call yourself a GP?

I haven't missed anything, have I?

Does anyone want a cupcake?

Oh, thanks.

Oh, come on, out with it. The suspense is killing us.

-OK. I won't keep you long.

-Good.

Right, so it won't really come as any surprise to you that I'm very lucky that Cherry puts up with me.

-The other way round!

-Yeah, but I bet it isn't his hair bunging up the plughole.

-That's nice(!)

Spoil the moment with plumbing.

So, I asked her to marry me.

Ahh!

And I said yes.

Congratulations.

Well done, mate.

-Congratulations.

-Thank you.

Thank you.

-Where's the ring?

-Oh, it's at the cleaners.

What, is it vintage?

No, but it's just a little bit muddy. But he is going to get it so I can show you.

Absolutely. You must have an engagement party.

Well, nah, we were going to keep it pretty low key.

Well, it's either going to be the Icon or at home, I can't decide yet.

I don't want to be stressed at my own party, but then,

I want it to be personal cos I want to show off all the cards and the presents.

What is that doing there? Can you not keep control of your kids?

Sorry, sorry.

Lynette?

-It's Dr Wilson.

-Oh, yeah.

-Are you OK?

-Yeah.

Did you see your friend?

Don't you want to go home, darling?

-No. I'm not going back there.

-OK, let me get you get you a hanky.

Er, it's napkin from the Indian, it'll have to do.

I've got some chocolate,

-do you want to split it?

-OK.

-Oh, it's got nuts in, is that all right?

-Yeah, I like nuts.

My husband, he's allergic.

Hey!

Mrs Tembe?

Mrs...?

Mrs Tembe?

-Yes.

-Were you asleep?

-No.

-You were!

-Only for a second.

I sat down on the bed and I must have dropped off.

-It's OK.

-Please do not tell Mrs Parsons.

It is most unprofessional behaviour.

-We've all been there.

-I have not.

I have never been anything but alert at my post.

The surgery was left vulnerable, anything could have happened.

-Mrs Tembe, are you all right?

-Perfectly.

-You seem a little tense.

Dr Cassidy, I am not one of your patients.

Are you sleeping at night?

I do not mean to be rude,

but this is none of your business.

How was your lunch?

Oh, fit in a spot of t'ai chi, did you?

Bit of speed dating?

You're positively oozing with life-affirming vibes.

-I saw Lynette, actually.

-Lynette?

Mrs Patterson. She was quite upset.

I'm not surprised, if she thought you were stalking her.

-I bought her a coffee, is that allowed?

-Just a cup of coffee?

Or a little al fresco consultation with you channelling Jeremy Kyle?

I told her that if she wanted to talk some more she could book an appointment.

-If she wanted to talk she should phone a counselling service.

-How very holistic of you.

Tea and sympathy is fine but it's not what you've spent six years learning.

This woman may be very deserving but you haven't got time to go worming it out of her.

Right, so I'm meant to just stand there as she weeps her heart out on a park bench?

Did it not occur to you that perhaps she might want to be on her own?

Hiya. You said it was all right to come back, that you could see me.

Yeah, Dr Carmichael will see you.

But the surgery doesn't actually open till four.

I'll wait then.

You can't actually wait here, but there is a cafe round the corner.

-OK, if you say so.

-Oh, wait, let me just check.

No, Dr Carmichael doesn't actually have any appointments left today.

-You could come back tomorrow at 5.20?

-Oh, for pity's sake.

We'll see her now.

-Do you want to go for lunch?

-What?

The Icon or anywhere, really. It's your choice.

-Oh! There's no time for eating, Jimmi.

-Isn't there?

No. We've got to start on the wording for the paper.

-Wording? Paper?

-Yeah, the announcement. Keep up.

What, you want to take an ad out?

-Yeah, how else is everyone going to know about it?

-You're serious.

So, I don't know whether it should be, 'Mr and Mrs Malone would like to announce.'

Or whether it should be just you or both of us.

Or 'Jimmi Clay' or 'Dr Clay' or 'Dr Jimmi Clay'.

-Er...

-I'll write down the options and then we can narrow it down.

You were right, you know, what you said.

Go on.

Well, it was my husband. He did it. He hit me.

-Has he done that before?

-No.

Well, not really. He just shouts usually.

-So what was different this time?

-I don't know, you know,

came in drunk from the pub,

didn't like it when I said I had a headache, you know.

-I don't know.

-You're saying you didn't want to have sex with him?

Well, no. I mean he were drunk,

-stinking, I didn't want him on top of me.

-You said no?

Yeah, and then he just belted me one.

Lynette. When you came here before, you asked for the emergency contraception pill.

-Yeah.

-So you did have sex?

He's a big bloke my old man.

You know, if he wants it there ain't much you can do.

Lynette. You're telling us your husband raped you.

No, I mean, he's my husband. We're married.

Well, that doesn't give him the right to have sexual intercourse with you against your will.

-Oh.

-If you said no you can report him.

-Thank you, Dr Wilson.

I don't understand.

You could go to the police and you could ask them

to charge your husband with rape.

They have specially trained officers who'd guide you through every stage of the process.

-I don't know.

-It's your decision.

One of the first things they'll do is a full medical examination.

Well, can't you just do that?

I could certainly check for any injuries, but it would probably be easier for you to have

just one examination at the Sexual Assault Referral Centre.

The what? I don't know where that is.

I'll take you there, don't worry. And I'll stay with you for as long as you want.

If that's what you decide.

They see women in your situation every day.

They'll take you seriously, I promise.

They are really, really respectful.

OK.

If you think I should.

Delighted or happy?

-Happy.

-What's wrong with delighted?

-Either's fine.

-Well, they're completely different. Happy is, like, red noses and clowns,

and delighted is delicious, delectable, lighting up a room.

-Delighted, my final choice.

-Maybe we should go back to proud.

PHONE RINGS

Yep? Hello.

OK, I'm leaving now. I've got to go.

-What?

-I'm on duty.

-Jimmi!

-A woman's just been sexually assaulted.

-Oh, OK. You should go.

-You're almost done, I'm sure you can finish it.

-Hey, it's not long now. The doctor'll be here soon.

-When?

-Lynette, hi, I'm Dr Clay.

-What are you doing here?

Hi, Freya. I'm on duty today.

But she needs to be seen by a female doctor.

That's what I've come to explain.

We do have a female police surgeon on rotation but she's on another case at the moment,

-so it could take a few hours.

-Isn't there another one?

-No.

We could find somewhere comfortable for you and you can wait,

or I could do the examination with a female nurse present.

You don't have to say yes.

I could stop at any time if you don't feel comfortable.

-No, it's fine, you can do it.

-Are you sure?

I just want to get it over with now.

OK.

Now...table two...

COMPUTER BEEPS

-If you'd like to come with me, please?

-Don't leave me here.

I'll be in, in a sec, I promise. I just need to talk to Dr Clay.

-OK.

-Thank you.

YOU were brilliant.

-You completely put her at ease.

-That's the idea.

Yeah, but talking to her and explaining everything that you were going to do.

I didn't know the exam was going to be that thorough.

-You have to get it right first time.

-Lynette was brilliant, too, though.

I think I helped to distract her, that's the key, isn't it? Just...

keep it personal, not cold and clinical.

Look, you...um...

You do know that it's a long way from reporting it,

to getting a conviction?

Yeah, but you've got the evidence. You've got forensic samples.

All that shows is that she's had sex with her husband.

-No, there's got to be more than that. What about the bruises on her face?

-Nothing conclusive.

What... Combined with the other injuries?

-I can't really say.

-What ARE you saying, then?

-That just because he's her husband he's allowed to force himself on her.

-No!

No. But rape is difficult to prove in a marriage situation.

Unless there are obvious signs of violence, which, in this case, there isn't.

All right, well, I'll make a statement, I'll talk about her state of mind

when she first came in for the emergency contraception...

Freya, look, it's only my opinion, but I've seen a lot of these cases,

and the CPS often decides against prosecution.

-I just want to go home, now.

-I know.

I'd have thought he'd be the one who had to move out, it seems really unfair.

You're just going to have to be patient.

it's going to take some time.

-I'm not sure about any of this any more.

-Lynette.

He's going to be home in an hour, when am I going to pack?

-They've clothes at the refuge.

-I'm not wearing someone else's clothes.

And what about all me hair stuff and my make-up and my phone charger and that?

Look, the police will sort that out for you, OK?

You're just going to have to be flexible

over the next couple of days.

But what matters is that you've come this far, you CAN'T turn back now.

Now you're going to go and leave me on my own.

You're not going to be on your own.

Jan's here for you.

Look,

this is my number.

You can use it any time, OK?

All those women in there have been through exactly the same as you.

-You'll probably end up chatting all night.

-Like a sleepover.

The important thing is that you're safe and away from your husband.

That's what you want, isn't it?

Yeah.

Come here.

It's going to be all right.

-I'll come back and see you tomorrow, OK?

-All right.

-Go on.

-Hey. You'll never guess what?

-What?

We missed the deadline.

I got a stupid email back from the classified section,

but then I called up saying that I had a news story

and apparently they don't print till this evening.

-Right.

-So if I go down there, I'll definitely get it in,

if I speak to the editor. Karen knows him, apparently he is a right sleaze.

Stupid question, but why can't this wait till next week?

Did you even ask that question?

-No.

-Car keys?

Thank you.

Love you.

Not enough evidence, it's pathetic.

-It shouldn't be up to the CPS anyway.

-Freya.

What kind of message is that sending out? She asked me for help.

she confided in me, which is what we're always asking women to do anyway,

but according to Jimmi, she's just wasted her time.

So, do you think you were realistic in managing her expectations?

What expectations? She didn't have any. She was holding everything in

until I recognised the signs.

-So, you admit that were driving for the disclosure?

-I admit...

I did really well in getting her to trust me.

I did everything that we're meant to do, above and beyond.

And now it's the police who are going to mess up the whole system.

I see.

Well, it's the above and beyond bit that I think we need to explore.

Oh, Jimmi, I am unstoppable!

-I feel like Julia Roberts in that film.

-Pretty Woman?

-No, the one where she bursts into the office and demands to see the boss.

-Erin Brockovich.

-Yes!

So what corporate corruption have you rooted out today?

-I managed to get mine and Jimmi's ad in the paper.

-You did it?

I just told him he looked great for a man of his age. It works every time.

I should send you out more often, you're my secret weapon.

And I got the best spot on the page. And I got it bigger with a fancy border AND I got a photo in!

-Photo?

-When is this coming out?

-Er, we never agreed a photo.

Yeah, it's my screensaver, the one of us on that rollercoaster, you look like a mouse.

-Aw, sweet(!)

-Well, I suppose it's only local.

I paid 30 quid to get it across the whole of the Midlands.

I'm going to go and update my status. I can't wait to tell everyone!

-She's excited, then.

-You noticed?

Wonder what she'll do next?

Maybe she'll charter a hot-air balloon, have your faces on it.

-Ha, ha, you're just jealous.

-Yeah(!)

-No, she'll calm down when she gets used to the idea.

-Yeah...

With thousands of patients on the surgery list you can't afford to get involved with every one.

-Most of those we never see.

-It's nothing to do with time, it's about objectivity.

Making accurate judgements which aren't clouded by emotion.

If you get to know your patients,

you stand a better chance of diagnosing what's wrong with them. That's a proven fact.

-You should read my research project.

-That is uni. Those losers haven't practised for years.

Let's not forget that I found out what's wrong with her, which, no offence, is more than you did.

I was observing, remember. So you have no idea what I would have done.

She said she didn't like you.

She thought you looked down your nose at her.

As opposed to what, getting down in the hood?

Don't blame me if I can relate to people.

You owe it to every one of your patients to walk in their shoes.

Oh, please!

No, what? Why... Why can't you just accept

that I helped a woman who has probably been suffering for years?

You haven't helped her at all. You pushed her into a medical exam without giving her a get-out.

You trod on the toes of professionals by sticking to her like glue.

And throughout this entire marathon period, you failed to point out

that only a tiny percentage of rape reports ever result in a conviction.

Go home. Write it up.

20 things you'd do differently next time.

On my desk by Monday morning.

OK.

But can I do 20 things I did right as well?

# That's the sound of the men Workin' on the chain gang... #

She's my wife and I can do what I like with her.

-You cannot do what you like to her!

-Or maybe you're both lezzies?

Is that what's going on?

Fancy putting a respectable woman like you with scum like this!

-I'm not scum!

-You're a thief.

And no amount of weeding can change that!

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

E-mail [email protected]