Try Doctors

ALARM CLOCK RINGS

# Oh, she may be weary

# Young girls they do get weary

# Wearing that same old shaggy dress Yeah, yeah

# But when she gets weary

# Try a little tenderness Yeah, yeah

# You know she's waiting

# Just anticipating

# Things that she'll never, never, never, never possess

# Yeah, yeah

# While she's there waiting without them

# Try a little tenderness... #

DOOR OPENS

# That's all you've gotta do... #

SHE SIGHS

# It's not just sentimental Oh, no, no... #

Have you seen next door's garden?

Bloody mess! No shame, that lot.

Ours is neat and tidy and I'm disabled!

Some people!

And look at Number 4, their bins are out.

What a load of idiots!

It's Tuesdays, you stupid sods!

Foreigners!

Kevin!

Oh, God!

-Drink the coffee, get in the shower.

-I'm not going in today.

Imagine my surprise(!)

THEY GIGGLE

Are you being lewd, Doctor Reid?

Nothing gets past you, does it, Mrs T?

Tembe. Mrs Tembe.

-Absolutely.

-Don't miss a trick, do you?

I can spot an innuendo at thirty paces.

But the question is, what do you do with it once you've got it?

Depends how big it is!

Doctor Reid, please!

Tea, Mrs T?

PHONE RINGS

The Campus Surgery, how may I help you?

So what shall I tell Howard?

Advanced case of self-pity? Acute laziness?

Or a sudden outbreak of can't-be-bothered?

-Don't start.

-Has something happened?

-No.

-Kev?

I hit my head yesterday.

And you thought alcohol would help, genius?! Show me.

Ow!

Skin doesn't look broken, do you feel sick?

It's not concussion, it's just a bump on the head.

-Are you sure?

-Yes, doctor.

OK, but if you get any symptoms, just give me a call, OK?

-Put some peas on it!

-Where are the peas?

Uh, in the freezer!

Why is Heston at St Phil's all day?

Don't know. What are you doing at Christmas, Howard?

-Er...

-Is Gina busy?

It's ever so difficult when you first start going out.

Because everybody's already made plans.

Oh, you're not on your own?

Karen, focus. Who's at the campus?

It says here!

Emma in the morning, Al and Kevin in the afternoon.

Make that Al on his own.

-Ah, how's his head?

-Painful.

-Is it serious?

-He'll be fine.

If he's fine, then surely he can work?

I examined him. He needs a day in bed.

Is that all right with you?

Better get a locum.

Better had. Post?

In your pigeon hole. Why are you taking it out on her?

Don't know what you're talking about.

-Fancy a cuppa?

-Yeah, thanks, Karen.

And how am I supposed to do that?

It's hard enough getting in and out of this thing.

There are exercises specifically designed for wheelchair users.

And I can see from your notes,

when you were first diagnosed, you saw a physio.

Didn't they give you any techniques?

That was years ago, how am I supposed to remember?

Right, well... Maybe I can give you something to jog your memory.

You really must take this seriously, Mrs Sedgeley,

you must try to help yourself.

You don't know what it's like, living with this condition,

it's a constant strain

-Whoa! OK! OK!

-What's wrong now?

Just sit down for me.

It's Nell, isn't it?

What did you have for breakfast, Nell?

Rice cake.

She loves those. Taste like cardboard. She's always been skinny.

I blame it on the council.

How so?

They cut our bus route, didn't they?

She has to push me all the way here, and I get ever so cold.

Mrs Tembe, could you come in a moment please?

What's happening, hang on?

We're going to take Nell to sickbay. If you could give me a hand?

You can't do that! Excuse me!

Is she the sole carer?

I think so, yes.

Poor girl, she's exhausted.

How far is Rock Hill?

It is miles. She pushed her mother from there?

Apparently.

It is no wonder she has no meat on her.

Her teeth aren't in good condition either, and I wonder...

Malnutrition?

Possibly.

< Oi!

What about the mother?

I'm going to finish in here, she can wait.

That is going to go down well(!)

Mum?

It's all right, Nell.

Go back to sleep, we're looking after your mum.

Christmas card from... Ah, Mrs Dhaliwal, bless.

Anything interesting for poor Doctor Tyler?

Test results.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Come in.

Oh, hello, Mrs Drew. Take a seat.

We're all tired, love!

Life is hard down here on the coalface.

Listen, that school were crap,

they didn't teach her anything useful, she didn't get any exams...

Unsurprisingly.

I used to have a home help, you know, but with this recession

that's all been cut back, bloody bankers!

And the government are useless. It's people like me who suffer.

How is Nell's health generally? Does she eat properly?

What's that supposed to mean? We have proper food, you know!

I have to eat regular, cos of the diabetes.

And Nell?

She's always eaten like a little bird.

Can we get back onto me now, please?

I need you to look in my mouth cos it's really dry.

-Thank you. Bye! Merry Christmas!

-Merry Christmas!

Oh, for goodness sake!

So she did have some help?

Two years ago? And then what happened?

Did she?

Ah, yes, I can see on her notes. That's interesting.

And what about the daughter, Nell Sedgeley?

Right. Well, could you put me through to that extension, please?

Fine, then I'll ring them direct.

< Oi! Black woman! There's no sugar!

Why don't people listen anymore?

You sit in a wheelchair and suddenly you become invisible!

No-one can accuse you of that!

What's going on?

She made me a cup of tea.

For which I have not received a thank you, only abuse.

I haven't been abusive, just descriptive.

I told her three sugars, but she just ignored me!

Since Mrs Sedgeley is a diabetic,

I do not think three... THREE! ..spoons of sugar is appropriate!

It's none of your damn business how I take my tea!

Doctor Reid, I will not tolerate this!

OK, let's just calm down, shall we?

Everything OK?

Mandy, could you take Mrs Sedgeley through for her blood sugar please?

-Mm-hmm. I'm free now.

-Great.

TV: '..while her husband works away,

'are Julian, Paula, and the most recent addition...'

-Hi.

-Hi.

You'd think I'd come to check on you in my lunch hour, see if you're OK.

That you're not choking on your own vomit.

-Nice.

-But I'm not.

-OK.

I've actually come home to tell you that you're a dirty little liar.

Eh?

I picked up your post this morning.

Thought it would be a nice thing to do.

Christmas cards from patients, party invitations,

thought they would cheer you up.

But there was this letter from St Phil's. Test results.

-Haematology department.

-Jas...

I thought, "That's odd, because Kev's already had the test results."

I remember distinctly, you told me, not a match.

-OK, listen...

-So I thought, "Well maybe it's just a copy."

You got the results by phone and they just sent this as a back-up.

But I was curious and though I know

it's probably illegal to open some else's mail,

not to say a breach of confidentiality,

I just couldn't help myself.

And what do you know? Kev's a match.

Black and white. So, in your own time.

You know, Nell, when people feel trapped,

like they can't control what's going on around them,

sometimes they try to take control somewhere else.

Like food. Some people overeat, some people don't eat enough.

They starve themselves.

Either because they think they don't look good,

or because they think they deserve to be punished.

What do you think?

I don't know.

Nell, I'm worried about your weight.

Do you skip meals sometimes?

Or eat a lot and then throw up?

No!

It's not as unusual as you think.

I've seen a lot of girls go through it, and usually I can help.

I don't want to talk about it. Can I go?

Unless you let me help you, you're going to get seriously ill.

And then you won't be able to help your mum at all.

I feel better now. My mum will need me.

Well, I think she needs you a bit too much.

And I think we can help her to help herself, and give you a break.

She's my mum! Got no dad, no brothers and sisters.

It's just me and her. I have to help her.

It's my duty.

Is that what she told you?

Ooh!

That's great.

-It hurts!

-Whereabouts?

-Just, you know, up and down my legs.

How are we getting on?

Great, just doing some more flexibility.

Mandy, I'd like a word with Mrs Sedgeley,

so do you want to grab a cuppa?

OK.

All right? See you later.

I've just been to check on Nell.

Aren't you going to ask me how she is?

She's just tired.

She is exhausted.

She's suffering from malnutrition,

and I suspect that she may have an eating disorder.

Which makes sense psychologically, she's little more than a slave.

How dare you?!

You have no concern for her at all, do you?

As long as she's there to bathe you, feed you, dress you...

-You know nothing!

-Then tell me!

She was put on this earth to care for me.

God knows she ripped me to shreds when she was born

and caused the diabetes.

This is the least she can do!

I'm sick of it. Sick of being the sympathetic friend.

All, "Are you all right Kevin? If you ever want to talk..."

-What kind of mug am I?

-Hang on a minute...

-Did you think lying to me was going to make it go away?

-No!

There's a man dying in St Phil's

and you're lying to get out of saving his life!

-It's not that simple!

-Yes, it is!

-No, it isn't!

-Why won't you donate your stem cells?

-You know why!

Ah, yes, because of your "issues".

Abandoned as a baby, no dad.

-Little brown boy on an all-white council estate.

-Just stop it!

You owe him nothing! Why should you save his life,

-when you can go to New York and party?

-That's enough!

Is little Tinted Tyler having a paddy? Nasty, neglectful man!

Die, daddy, die!

The levels are the same

as when Doctor Cassidy reviewed you six months ago.

-That idiot!

-She was of the opinion

that you are much more capable of movement than you're letting on,

and I have to say, I agree with her.

Who are you to judge me?

It's all right for you on your big salary, but I'm living on benefits.

You know what that's like, do you?

I bet if you were in a chair,

you'd have hot and cold running servants!

Well, I don't have that luxury!

No, you have Nell. Who you are running into the ground.

What choice do I have? Who else is going to help me?

Try helping yourself!

Right, that's it, I'm out of here.

At least let me talk to Nell,

and see if I can find a way of giving her a break.

You don't get it, do you?

Well then you give me no choice,

I have to refer this to social services.

That's right, make things worse, why don't you?

-Get out of my way!

-Mrs Sedgeley!

KNOCK ON DOOR

-Are we going now?

-Too right! Are you feeling better, love?

Good, come on then.

I have never known the likes of it!

We're changing doctors after this.

First of all, that weird hippy woman, and now her, the rude cow!

THEY GIGGLE

He never did!

Right in front of the Townswomen's Guild!

Doctor Reid.

Some people do not want to get help,

no matter how hard we try.

Maybe this is just one of those cases?

Pam Sedgeley is lazy, exploitative and abusive.

Nell is starving herself out of desperation.

If we can't help her, who can?

But if social services have withdrawn support, and...

From the mother. But they can damn well help Nell.

You know, that woman constantly surprises me.

Sorry. I shouldn't have said that.

When I was a kid, there was this boy from the next close,

big port wine stain across his forehead

Could've had it lasered,

but I suppose his parents didn't care much.

Splat, we used to call him.

Made him cry.

And I was glad. Cos when they were ragging him...

They laid off you?

But Splat had a dad.

Most did, even if their parents weren't together.

My mate Lemar used to go to McDonalds every other Sunday

with his old man.

-That doesn't mean...

-I had a dad too, you know.

He was the best dad in the world.

We used to play football together,

used to go fishing in the ponds.

He bought a Nintendo and we used to play Mario Cart for ages.

And his skin was white.

Oh, Kev...

He might have been imaginary,

but he was still a better father to me than that man.

So, there's no obligation, I get that.

So why should I?

Why shouldn't you?

Because... Because I don't owe him anything.

He's not a part of me, my life.

He's just some bloke.

I'm not his son.

Not in any proper sense.

Seeing him lying there, all complacent.

"I'm all right, Jack." With his kids and his grandchildren.

So save his life for them. For Nadia and Zarif.

I'm a doctor, I save lives every day.

We're pill pushers, Kevin,

anything serious we refer to consultants, surgeons.

They're the real heroes.

But now you have this opportunity, this one chance.

You don't even have to see him.

This could be the end. After this, you can forget him.

I'm going to New York.

I'm not part of his family. I never will be.

-That's up to you.

-You'd do it, wouldn't you?

Like a shot.

Maybe you're a better person than me then.

Maybe. But that shouldn't stop you trying.

Hello, Nell. Do you mind if I come in a moment?

Thanks.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you this morning.

I really do want to help.

Mum says you're not our doctor any more.

I'm not hers, but I am still yours, if you'll have me?

I think you need a really good night's sleep.

And a decent meal that you haven't had to cook yourself.

And I happen to know where you can get that,

a respite home for carers like yourself.

It's safe and friendly.

Who is it?

Just one night, Nell.

What about mum?

Nell, who is it?! >

You see that lady there...

-Nell, answer me! >

-..that's my friend Beth.

Nell, don't you dare ignore me!

She's a special nurse who has lots of experience,

looking after all sorts of patients.

-I'm sure she'd get on with your mum.

-Who is it?! >

Just one night, Nell. It would make such a difference.

-And then we can talk about other ways to help you.

-Mum won't like it!

Well, she'll get over it. I'll talk to her if you want me to?

I said, "Who is it?!"

What are you doing here?

You walked!

I had to, you were ignoring me.

-It's amazing what we're capable of, isn't it?

-You can't walk!

It's...adrenaline

Rubbish!

I get really tired all the time, I need that chair!

I get tired all the time pushing you!

And you can walk!

Nell's going to be staying somewhere else tonight.

Maybe for a few nights.

And in the meantime, my friend Beth here will take care of you.

She's very experienced with diabetes patients,

I'm sure you'll get on.

You're not taking her anywhere!

That's not your decision, Mrs Sedgeley. Nell?

Oi! Nell! Nell! You get back here!

You can't leave me! You selfish little cow!

RADIO: # You gotta, you gotta Try some tenderness... #

What the...?!

# You gotta hold her

# Squeeze her, never leave her

# You gotta, you gotta

# You gotta try some tenderness Yeah... #

Bit on the nose, isn't it?

# You gotta hold her, squeeze her

# Never leave her

# You gotta, gotta, yeah You gotta try, try, try some... #

Right. Snuggle down, it's time to get some sleep.

Close your eyes.

Thank you.

What are you doing sitting in the dark?

How was youth club?

It was good.

Think I'm finally getting through to that CJ kid.

And Allie Grimshaw got off with a fine.

How was your day?

I managed to get a young carer away from her dreadful mother,

paid for a stand-in out of my own pocket

Probably not a good idea, mother.

Probably not.

But at least Nell will have a decent night's sleep at Bishop House.

-You paying for that as well?

-Mm-hmm.

Will she even stay there?

No, she'll be back with her furious mother tomorrow, I'm sure.

And that's probably the last I'll see of them.

-What do you mean?

-They're changing surgeries.

Apparently I upset them.

I'm not sure I helped at all really.

Well, you tried.

Not hard enough.

What's that? Who's in Cambodia?

Blakey! Who sends postcards these days?

"Broke my leg falling off a bike." What a plank!

Night.

Hi, it's Kevin Tyler. About my test results.

# Oh, she may be weary

# Young girls they do get weary

# Wearing that same old shaggy dress Yeah, yeah

# But when she gets weary

# Try a little tenderness Yeah, yeah

# You know she's waiting

# Just anticipating

# Things she'll never, never, never, never possess

# While she's there waiting without them

# Just try a little tenderness... #

Our Christmas and New Year diaries synced.

-I thought we might try something different this year.

-What? Goose?

I just realised I've got something to sort out.

How exactly is going out for a curry and a beer with you a challenge?

Oooh, fresh meat!

I couldn't help noticing that Daniel's present

is sitting rather forlornly in the staff room.

Don't you think someone should drop it off?

That's very kind of you, Heston, thank you.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd