Hold Sway Doctors

Anyway, thanks all for coming, yeah.

There's always better things to do than listen to some old geezer.

I know, I know. It's not me you're here to listen to.

So, in the red corner, you've all seen the posters,

out of your very own neighbourhood.

fearless local solicitor, campaigner,

councillor...

brains, brawn and beauty...

weighing in, I don't know,

eight and half stone or so,

the Letherbridge Lioness, Rabia Rahil.

APPLAUSE

Why do I want to spend my time giving health checks to wasters?

Because you don't want to spend the day doing paperwork.

So, why are you doing it?

-Favour for an old friend. Go on.

-No.

Come on, I need you there.

You know how bad young guys are at getting checked out.

So YOU just want to check out young guys?

I doubt they'll let me anywhere near them. We need a male doctor.

I thought you were out for the day?

-Just on my way.

-And you.

Heston's too busy to give a practitioner's perspective on these policy changes.

So I thought you could.

I would if I could, but I've just promised Jas that I'd go to the community centre.

Young guys are really bad at getting checked out.

So we thought male doctor... Plus a lot of local professionals

-are donating their time, so it's an excellent networking opportunity.

-Yeah, good.

Who knows, you might even enjoy it.

I was born a mile from here, went to school a mile from here,

university as well.

And now I'm a partner in a local law firm.

I won't lie to you, I like what the hard work gives me

if that's what you're going to ask - the money, nice car, a flat.

But that's not what it's about.

That's not why I wanted to be on the local council.

It's about belonging.

Everything you need is here.

Asim will talk to you about fitness, I'll give you free legal advice

and help with any town hall problems.

We've got stands for careers, financial planning and health checks.

It's all about getting the best out of yourselves.

There's no reason why anyone sitting in this room can't have anything they want.

SHE LAUGHS

Er, can I help you, Nurse Marquez?

Oh, no, it's all right. It was just in the way of one of mine, that's all.

Here you are, Mrs Williams.

You're so kind, Mrs Tembe.

Not at all. I cannot apologise enough for the doctor being so late.

And this one is of Angela AND Patricia.

Oh.

Both your granddaughters together? You must be so proud.

Oh, I am.

Nurse Marquez, look.

Aw! That's nice.

Don't spill any.

We're rather concerned about spillages.

Dr Haskey, Mrs Williams has been waiting for you.

I'm sure that Nurse Marquez has been keeping you entertained.

You and your bowels.

Just give me five minutes and then come through.

What a lovely boy.

Thanks.

Thank you. Like I said, I'm around to chat.

You're staring.

Rabia Rahil, everyone. Thanks, Rabia.

Now, a few words from our local GP, Jas Khella.

Hi, thank you. Thanks, everyone.

I'm Jas and this is Kevin,

another doctor from the Mill Health Practice.

Hi.

We're here to offer you a few basic health checks.

Just so you know the areas you might need to focus on.

Weight, body mass index, heart rate and blood pressure.

Does anybody think they might be interested?

All strictly confidential.

Anyone at all?

There must be someone.

Don't you have children of your own?

-Me?

-Yes.

I tell you what.

Let's forget about your grandkids and let's concentrate on you.

Put the photos away.

So, how can I help?

Er...I've been feeling a bit "down in the dumps".

Hmm. Have you considered going to visit your grandkids?

Oh, they're in Australia. Didn't you see the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the pictures?

Of course. Silly me.

I thought it was Gateshead.

-Ow!

-All done.

Talk about a low pain threshold!

I thought this was supposed to be confidential.

Well, people need to see what they're letting themselves in for.

Don't worry, it will be completely confidential for everybody else.

I'll just get the printout. Feel free to ask questions.

Er...

Did you shave your chest especially?

No, I didn't know I was coming.

So when was the last time you had these kind of tests done?

-Honestly, I can't even remember.

-So, you don't know what to expect?

Nope. People think we're super healthy. But, to be honest, we're just like everybody else.

We eat too much, drink too much,

don't go to the gym enough. just like anybody.

Oh...

Your heart's fine. Clean bill of health.

You had me worried there for a minute!

It feels a lot better knowing.

Right, who's next?

Rabia, how about you?

Me?

Oh, I'm a bigger coward than he is.

HE SIGHS

Better be me then, hadn't it?

Yeah, right, then. Over here.

They can really do that?

They really can.

-Isn't it expensive?

-Free.

-From computer to computer.

-To telephone?

It's a miracle of modern science.

I reckon that talking to your grandkids will make you feel a lot better.

Well, you are the doctor.

Indeed I am!

-Was that Rose leaving?

-Yep.

Is she OK?

It's not a doctor she needs, more like someone to talk to.

A parrot perhaps.

Doctor Haskey!

Sometimes you have to talk to lonely people -

it's part of the job.

What, like silly posters,

and nonsense leaflet campaigns?

The day's only just begun and I've already had to deal with three timewasters.

-You have only seen one patient.

-Hmm! Like I said.

You know, normally I would not speak ill of one of our doctors.

It's a good job I'm here, then, in't it?

-He's a hit.

-They're too young to know any better.

-We could have done something like this when we were 17.

-Hmm.

Is that the last time we saw each other?

Yeah. I was surprised you got in touch.

I was trying to think of doctors that I knew.

Because of Simon, I mean.

Because you went out with my ex?

So, you HAD split up?

Jasmine Khella... did you steal my boyfriend?

You just said you'd spilt up.

-But you didn't know?

-I wasn't sure.

Oh, but you went for it anyway?

I'm so sorry.

How could you?!

-Rabia...

-Well, he could have been my one shot at happiness.

JAS SIGHS

I'm really, really sorry.

RABIA LAUGHS

I'd forgotten all about it.

-Really?

-Honestly.

It didn't last.

No happy ever after?

Not with him. Not with anyone.

What about you?

You were going to have a house full of kids by the time you were 30.

Not any more.

What happened?

Well, how could I have all this if I had kids?

Look at them.

They're more interested in being rich than getting healthy.

Hmm, everybody's worried that something might be wrong.

But it never is.

99 times out of 100.

And what if there is something wrong?

We can usually fix it.

I don't think they're going to do it. Not unless you do.

So, did you bring him along for moral support?

Huh! Yeah.

And are you two...?

No.

Oh, that's a shame, I could have got my own back.

Ha...

Your blood pressure's a little bit high.

-Weight.

-I know.

-BMI.

-Ditto.

Maybe you should try changing your diet.

-I'm always trying.

-And you can always try harder.

-Oh, yeah?

-Yeah. Change your habits. Challenge yourself.

Cocky little so-and-so, aren't you?

-You what?

-What about my heart?

I'll do you a printout.

SHE'S not doing it much good.

If I were 20 years younger, and wasn't married,

and didn't have kids...

Watch out, she's coming over.

I'll find the next patient.

So, you've had some success?

Yeah. Just Asim so far.

You've done better than we have.

And I thought that men were more standoffish than women?

I thought so, too.

You know, if you don't go for it, none of the women will get done.

-What makes you say that?

-Because you're the alpha female.

And what does that make you?

-You know, maybe it doesn't matter if they get done.

-What do you mean?

It's all a bit of a waste of time, anyway, isn't it?

No. No, it isn't.

-She fancies you.

-Shut up.

Opposites attract. Gorgeous, smart, successful

-I'm not interested.

-Why not?

-You're kidding?

-So I don't fancy Asian women. I'm not going to apologise about it.

-I met your sister, Kevin.

-Half-sister.

All right, you're half Asian, then.

Anyway, who cares? It's obvious how much you fancy her.

-I'd have to agree.

-Your heart's fine.

And how's yours?

Ha!

Is she waiting for me to test her?

Looks like it.

-What did you say to her?

-Nothing. Not a lot.

Well, whatever it was, it worked.

Make yourself at home, why don't you(?)

-What are you doing?

-What does it look like?

This is the staff room.

Excellent diagnosis, Doctor(!)

-No patients are going to see it, are they?

-No, but doctors will.

-Might give them a prod in the backside.

-Very funny.

It's not a joke.

-Who's going to see that here?

-Thank you.

Do you know what? I'm going to put another one over here.

Heston, I need to talk to you about this policy response.

I thought Kevin was dealing with it.

Well, he's on a mission in the community with Dr Khella.

Oh, yes, of course he is. Forget about making people better,

we're all filling out forms or on "missions in the community".

-Or putting up posters.

-Exactly.

-What's the point of putting that up in here?

No problems at all. He's in fantastic shape.

Good lad. Well done.

He's a boxer.

Yeah, that figures. Body fat ratios.

So how come they're not at school? College?

They've got hard lives. One parent, most of them.

From local estates.

Didn't stop me.

That's your background?

Yeah, Mum pushed me.

-And you must have pushed yourself?

-I suppose.

You're not impressed?

I just don't know what any of this achieves.

Makes THEM believe in themselves.

And do they?

You should come and see them box. The gym's part of the centre.

Come on. I've done it. Now it's your turn.

Everyone is scared of something being wrong.

But 99 times out of 100, everything's fine.

You need to know what's going on.

And if something IS wrong, they can fix it.

So, who is going next?

-Rabia?

-Who's it going to be?

Brilliant. Well done! We have a volunteer.

For your information, my poster campaign is not "misguided".

People need to be aware.

Aware? You're encouraging them to find something wrong.

Who knows better than they do if they're ill?

Um? Their doctor?

-You?

-Unfortunately.

Please be quiet, both of you.

PHONE RINGS

Mill Health Centre. How may I help you?

Yes. Yes, of course.

Mrs Williams would like to come in for an emergency appointment this afternoon.

-What did I tell you?

-Maybe you were so quick to get rid of her, you missed what was wrong.

Absolutely.

If you would like to come in just before we open at four o'clock...

..Dr Haskey will be delighted to see you.

It is my pleasure. Goodbye.

So, go to your MP's surgery next Tuesday

and tell her you spoke to me, OK?

HE HUMS

Still think it's a waste of time?

-Jury's out.

-Ah, you're a hard man to please.

So you get them tested, you have a careers chat.

That's not how you became a lawyer.

Or how you knew you were going to be a doctor?

-We just knew?

-I did.

Yeah, so did I.

But that doesn't mean we still can't help out.

Oh, give something back? SHE LAUGHS

-What made you so cynical?

-My upbringing.

Yet you're going to go to the boxing gym with Asim anyway?

-He told you?

-He's a good guy.

-Yeah.

And a lot of these kids can be, too.

Give them the kick-start that we never had.

So...boxing. You going to show them how it's done?

-Other way around, more like.

-You're not going to have a go?

I'm more of a coward than you are.

Maybe we should fight each other?

Maybe we should.

Rabia? Sorry, can we have a quick word?

-Maybe some other time.

-Er, yeah, fine. Whatever.

There's someone waiting to talk to me.

It was fantastic, Doctor. I didn't just speak to them,

I could see them, too.

You've arranged an emergency appointment

to tell me that you made an internet phone call?

No, no, no, no, of course not.

The picture froze.

-And?

-I thought you might know what to do.

Mrs Tembe, what are you doing?

I have printed some more posters. I am just making room.

Moving public health posters for heath and safety ones?

You have added more. I am just doing the same.

People need to be able to read mine -

they might have bowel cancer and not know it.

And if someone slipped over, they would not be able to read anything.

Do either of you know how to stop a picture freezing?

-Yeah, she probably likes older men.

-What?

Rabia.

I don't know what you mean.

Is that what this place is?

Yeah.

Is there a problem?

No.

Hey, well, thanks again for coming.

-We should probably get going.

-Rabia...

All this means extra in the office.

Don't you want to know your test results?

-I think you need further tests.

-I haven't got time.

-To find out if something's wrong?

-That's right.

-How can you not have time? I can...

-I've got work to do.

-But you need to know.

-Do I?

It could be serious. At least let me phone St Phil's.

Look, I'd rather you didn't.

-Why?

-Because I know what they're going to say.

What are they going to say? Rabia?

They're... They're going to talk about my mum.

What about your mum?

Everyone thought it was because she was pregnant.

-The swelling of the feet, ankles, abdomen...

-What was it?

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

-Her heart failed when she was giving birth to me.

-But she's OK?

Apart from surgery to repair the mitral valve.

And having a defibrillator implanted.

It's, um...

It's hereditary. And I've got it, haven't I?

-That's what you're going to tell me?

-We don't know.

That's why I want to phone my contact at St Phil's.

But if you knew there was a chance you might have it,

why have you never been tested?

Because you're right.

I'd rather not know.

Let me make the call.

-And that's it?

-Mm-hm. Just click "start video".

And it just comes back on?

Yeah, well, it should do. So have a play around.

-You don't mind?

-No. No, it's fine.

-Just make sure you give it me back before you leave.

-Thank you so much.

Ooh.

-Mrs...?

-The nurse said I could stay.

-Really?

-This is her computer.

Right. Well, whatever Nurse Marquez says, you can't just sit here all day.

-There's nothing wrong with you.

-But there is.

-What?

-I've got an upset tummy.

OK, well, what I suggest you do is try not to think about it.

Focus on your general wellbeing,

you know, diet, exercise, that sort of thing.

This should give you some ideas.

I'll make sure the nurse gets this back. You are fine.

You're in great shape for your age.

Thank you, Doctor. And thank you for these.

Have a lovely Christmas, and we'll see you next year.

She is fine.

Dr Haskey! How are you on policy?

-Oh, right.

-Oh, policy?

Oh, I'd have thought that'd be right up your street, what with your people skills.

-Good. I'll get the papers to you by the end of the day.

-Oh...

-Impressed?

-He's not going to take it up professionally though, is he?

Probably not.

Then what's the point?

Khalil.

I don't think I can do this.

-I just wanted you to tell me I was fine.

-I wish I could have.

And now she's going to tell me not to have children.

We don't know what she's going to say.

Break, break.

And box.

Oh, that'll do, that'll do.

-Is he OK?

-He'll live.

-Do you want me to have a quick look at him?

-He's fine.

It's that the guy with the lowest body fat you've seen... is that much better.

You've got to test yourself against the best.

What do you say?

-What, me?

-You might surprise yourself. There's boots and kit in there.

CALL TO PRAYER

Your lucky day.

Here she is.

So, where did your mum get treated?

Birmingham. That's where she had me, so they carried on seeing her there.

This might be easier - talking to someone new.

She'll just go through what the risks are

and then you can decide what you want to do.

Um, do you mind if I spoke to her alone?

Course. Er, you want me to go?

-Is that OK?

-Course. I'll call you later.

Um, maybe we can meet up for a drink? I can ask Kevin.

-Definitely.

-See you later.

See you later.

-Hi. Councillor Rabia Rahil.

-Jane Leveson.

Jas mentioned that you might be interested in talking at a community event I'm organising.

-Oh, come through.

-Thank you.

CALL TO PRAYER

Aren't you going to go in?

I'll wait. Find somewhere near the back.

I've got to tell you, I'm not religious.

I wasn't either. Or interested in boxing.

I don't think I'll be taking that up any time soon either.

I was looking for direction.

A way to make sense of my life.

Really? You seem pretty sorted.

Now. But when I was your age...

let's just say I was a bit wild,

got in trouble before there was anything to keep me on the straight and narrow.

Yeah, well, I've got my career, so...

Yeah? I've never had that focus.

But I understand the "helping people" thing.

There's a whole world out there, not just you.

Try being a GP. Sometimes it feels like it's you AGAINST the world.

See, that's the kind of thinking I've had to let go of.

I haven't got what you've got - the career.

To be honest, my wife brings in the cash.

I look after my kids. The youngest started school.

I'll go and get him in a bit.

Took a while to get used to being a househusband.

And boxing coach.

-Partly why I did it.

-To get a bit of respect?

If I'm being honest.

You want to try saying that you're a doctor.

That approval's important, isn't it?

Drives you on, makes you want to show people you're worth it,

want to give something back.

Like you today, out working in the community.

Paperwork I needed to get out of.

No, no, no. You were great.

And you believe in something.

In the power of medicine, staying healthy.

When you believe in something, there's no problem telling people how it can help them.

Gives me that focus,

that faith there's something solid at the heart of everything I do.

You can have that without being religious.

Yeah, yeah. But it's harder.

If you grow up with religion, you always keep part of it with you.

If you don't... you've got to start from scratch like me.

All my kids come here.

Only cos you tell them to.

Because they want to.

-Because it's out of loyalty to you.

-How long's that going to last?

-What if they decide they don't want to any more?

-I'd respect it.

At least they'd have faith in their heart.

PHONE BEEPS

Sorry.

Yeah, but they'll always still be loyal to you. Like I am to my mum.

What would it say to her if I decided I wanted to take up my dad's religion?

Your dad's religion?

Yeah, he walked out on us.

-That was him. You're a different person.

-Maybe.

Definitely. But it doesn't mean you can't change.

Challenge yourself.

-It's been a pleasure.

-Likewise.

-'No, it was all fine.'

-Really? Jane did another ECG?

Yeah. Yours must have been a dud reading.

Oh. I'm so sorry.

-'But that's brilliant news.'

-Just carry on.

'Live a normal life.'

Come and have a drink to celebrate.

'I've asked Kevin to come.'

I'd love to, but I've got something on.

'Maybe next week?'

Definitely.

She didn't make it, then?

-What?

-Rabia? I half thought she might turn up.

-She's got a lot going on.

-Yeah, I know the feeling.

-Where did you go?

-I went to Asim's boxing gym.

-Boxing? You?

-Why not?

You're not going to get into boxing?

I quite like the discipline,

the focus, the mental strength.

But, no. I've got my own way of living my life.

-Thanks for bringing me along today, though.

-You're welcome.

-It's 500 calories of artery-clogging menace.

-Yum-yum!

Point is, you don't know what's causing it.

There is obviously something wrong.

And you were so quick to just write off her concerns.

-Ow!

-Dad!

-I'm fine, I'm fine.

-Don't lie. Where's your spray?

What happened?

Grace is no angel, Mrs Tembe, but you WERE right about one thing.

She has excellent manners.

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