Testament Doctors

WOMAN COUGHS

Laura?

I only want to make you better.

Oh, sweetheart.

Well, in that case, you have to examine me and make a diagnosis.

What's a diagnosis?

Well, that's when the doctor tells you what's wrong with you.

And when you've made your diagnosis, you have to write it down.

-I'll get some paper.

-Okey-doke.

Are you sure you'll be all right? I'll literally be a couple of hours.

Yes, I'm going to be fine. You go.

So, is this a permanent position?

Agency. Cover work's all there is.

State sector's not hiring and private's private.

Well, it's a good thing you're trying to get a job up here.

And things are better with Sally.

Just being close to Chloe is all that matters, you know.

Yeah, I'm happy for you, love.

Yeah.

Are you sure you're going to be OK, Mum?

I should be looking after you really.

Patrick, I'm going to be fine. Will you please just go to your interview. Go on!

It's a massive help though with Sally working late,

-I should be looking after Chloe...

-Go!

-Good luck.

-I've got my diagnosis paper!

Ooh! Excellent. In that case we'd better get started.

-Now, you are going to be a good girl for Nardie, aren't you?

-I'm always good girl.

Oh, yeah.

I have been with the congregation nearly a year now.

Oh, we miss you at our church.

Oh. Do not get me wrong, I welcome the company of the parishioners,

especially yours,

but I was still searching.

Not for faith?

Leadership. I felt I needed guidance.

And have you found that?

Oh! The pastor is young but wise and strong in spirit.

LAURA COUGHS

I can see that it has made you happy.

I haven't been so happy in such a long while.

I am helping with the church lunch, today.

People come before the afternoon service.

"O taste and see that the Lord is good."

"And blessed is the man that trusteth in him."

I have always been impressed with your knowledge of the Psalms.

It's so nice to bump into you. You are looking so well.

When was the last time that we had a day off together?

-HE MUMBLES

-Don't know. We had some time.

A day off with nothing to do.

Just enjoy each other's company.

Doing whatever we want...

..for however long that we want.

Gosh, so you're the boss?

Yes, in Julia's absence, Heston and I shall be running things together.

You know she'll be watching the CCTV on her laptop, don't you?

She can't do that. Can she?

I'm just checking.

Nardie, I think I'm going to have to put a bandage on your head.

Oh, I think my head's all right, thank you, darling.

-But that's my diagnosis.

-Oh.

Oh, is it? Right.

Well, in that case, do you know where Mummy keeps her first aid kit?

In the kitchen.

OK.

-CHLOE SCREAMS

-< Nardie!

-Chloe!?

-Nardie!

Chloe.

Nardie!

Chloe! Chloe.

CHLOE SOBS

Oh, sweetheart. Oh, my darling girl!

All right. Come on, over to the sink. There's a good girl.

There we are. Oh! Come on, I want you to put that under there.

-CHLOE CRIES

-Just leave that there for a minute.

How did you do that?

That.

What? Oh, for heaven's sake!

It's not Mummy's fault!

No. Oh, no. I didn't mean it was Mummy's fault, sweetheart.

No... Come here, come here.

Just going to wrap that round, that's going to be sore.

-Sorry, I know...

-CHLOE SOBS

..I know.

There we are. Good girl.

Hold that at the bottom tight for me. All right?

Oh, you're so brave.

Come on, we're going to take that poor little finger to the hospital and get it looked at, OK?

Ah.

KNOCK AT DOOR

I need to talk to you about a friend...

Social advice?

..who is also a patient.

-If it's a medical problem...

-It is Laura Masakela.

Have you seen her recently?

I saw her this morning. She's not looking very well.

She has not been in for an appointment for nearly a year

-and for such a seriousness illness...

-Have you been checking her records?

-I just wanted to see...

-It's not for personal use, you know that.

You know that I would not disclose patient information with anyone.

But she has HIV.

And I have seen people where HIV has become...

..full blown.

She needs our help.

We've been writing to her, she hasn't replied.

If only we could convince her.

We can't force her to come in.

But, if you do happen to see her again,

it might be a good idea to suggest that she does.

-Nardie?

-Mm?

-My finger really hurts.

Oh, sweetheart. I know, I'm so sorry.

She said half an hour, didn't she? That was an hour ago!

The triage system is backed up.

Triage?

That's when they decide who is hurt the most so they can go first.

Huh, triage! Inefficiency more like, plain and simple.

Can't they do anything about it?

Well, somebody should, sweetheart, yes.

RADIO PLAYS

Anything interesting?

Sorry, what?

Anything interesting in the paper?

Nah.

Well, then, there's no need to keep reading it then?

Just relaxing.

By reading about non-events?

Normally, I'd be stitching a drunk shoplifter

or looking after Daniel's patients.

But here I am, with the showbiz news and my cup of tea.

We've wasted a whole morning.

We're off work.

Doesn't mean we can't do something constructive.

-Like what, build the QE2 out of matchsticks?

-I don't know! Something practical.

SHE CLATTERS CUTLERY

HE RUSTLES NEWSPAPER

" 'I will restore health unto thee and heal thee of thy wounds.'

"So sayeth the Lord."

Yes, I accept that you're restructuring,

but the system should be in place

to ensure that patients are seen promptly.

It isn't rocket science, is it? It's simply down to good management.

-Nardie's telling them off.

-SHE GIGGLES

I... I see you have a healing mission?

Isn't every church a healing one?

Well, we pray for our sick.

We believe that prayer is the major part of healing.

That's certainly been my experience, here and in other countries.

You have ministered abroad?

I was with a church in Atlanta.

Before that, I spent some time in Nigeria.

The friend who told me about your church is from Ghana.

Who's that?

Laura. Laura Masakela.

Laura is a valued member of our congregation.

As she was with us.

Were you particular friends with Laura?

I have not seen her in a while. Not until this morning.

In truth, I came because I was a little concerned about her.

Concerned in what way?

When I saw her this morning, I thought...

Laura.

There's a friend to see you.

Hello again.

TV BLARES

What you doing?

There's a film about to start.

Is it important?

It's Tiger Bay. It's like Citizen Kane for Welsh people.

Well, can you tape it? I could do with a hand.

It's only on for an hour and a half.

I've spent the last two hours cleaning and scrubbing for your benefit,

cos you like the place spotless!

All right.

OK, so... First, we've got...

-You've got a list?

-Yeah.

-You've got a list of things you want me to do?

-It's not much.

There's a skirting board in the bedroom, then there's the garden.

Aw, garden. (No...)

Well, there is an alternative.

What's that?

We could have a nice, romantic day out. Completely spontaneous.

A nice long walk in the countryside,

pop into the pub for a spot of lunch.

Cream tea.

Then, we can finish the day, dinner at the new Italian.

Give me the list.

What do you want me to do first, skirting board or garden?

Garden. Please.

Why are you concerned about me?

It's just this morning, when...

I'm sorry, if you do not mind, I would like to speak to Laura alone.

There is nothing I cannot discuss in front of Helen.

It is a personal matter.

There is nothing about me that Helen doesn't already know.

We have not seen you at the surgery in nearly a year.

I thought you knew Laura from your church?

I do. I am also the receptionist at her health centre.

Have they sent you to see Laura?

No. No, I have come of my own accord.

But with what information?

I just...

Honestly, three hours for two stitches.

They can't blame that on cuts. Ooh, put your coat on, sweetheart.

Isn't that what stitches are for?

Not those kind of cuts.

No, it means they haven't got enough money to pay the people they need,

so they are going to pay one person to do two jobs.

It's called a primary care liaison officer.

Sounds important.

Sounds like one person doing two jobs to me.

Anyway, they haven't found anybody,

which is why we've been waiting here all morning.

Why haven't they found anybody?

Not that simple, you see, sweetheart cos they've got to find someone

who's good with doctors, good with nurses and money

and all those awkward people who run health authorities.

Isn't that what you do?

So you've taken knowledge of Laura's condition from her records?

I did consult.

-That's a breach of confidentiality.

-I did not disclose the information...

It still isn't right.

I did not think you were looking well.

But you didn't know Laura's HIV status, before you looked.

From my experience...

Experience as a doctor, or as a doctor's receptionist?

Experience of people...

I do have HIV. But it does not have me.

I am full in life and in spirit.

You have not seen the doctor in nearly a year.

I do not need a doctor, when I have the Lord.

But Laura, your medication.

Laura's healing comes from faith.

Her balm and medicine is prayer.

# Think of me in the depths of your despair

# Making a home down there

# As mine sure won't be shared

# The scars of your love... #

How can you say that prayer is not enough?

-But in these circumstances.

-What circumstances?

With such a serious illness!

There is not a sickness that God cannot cure.

My dear, as yet there is no cure for your illness.

But medicines have come so far.

If you deny that God can heal, then you cannot truly believe.

There is no question in my belief.

Laura needs medication.

I took that medication for years.

But when I stopped, when the voice of faith told me to stop,

I never felt so well.

But what if it is NOT the voice of faith?

-What if it is the voice of...?

-I think you should leave.

-But she needs...

-You have brought Laura a message of doubt.

She has been tested by the Lord.

And her response in faith is an example to us all.

Nardie?

Yes, sweetie?

I've finished my soup.

Er... Right, OK.

Yoghurt or banana?

Can I have both, please?

Well, as I'm not here that often, I...

We've received a complaint.

Is it from the church?

Laura Masakela.

But you told me next time I saw her, I should tell her to come in.

I suggested that.

I did not instruct you to go and find her immediately.

I was concerned.

That may be, but it was hardly done with discretion.

You especially should not have told her that you knew about her HIV status from the records.

-I said I did not disclose it to anyone.

-It still looks like you're being free with patient information.

You know that is far from the case.

So, is Laura coming in to see you?

No. I wasn't speaking to her directly.

Then who were you speaking to?

Helen Johnson, the pastor.

And did she tell you she has asked Laura to stop taking her medication?

What?

She has convinced her that...

That HIV can be treated with prayer alone.

Oh, please tell me you are joking?

You know I would not joke about such things.

-We have to take action.

-We can't.

But her health... Her life is at risk.

If she's chosen to stop retrovirals, that's her decision.

She says it is a voice of faith, but it's the voice of the pastor's!

We can't say that, let alone prove it.

So what are we supposed to do, just stand by and do nothing?

Morally, maybe not.

But we subscribe to a standard of ethics.

And do they say we should just watch somebody die?

They say that the final decision rests with the patient.

And we have to respect that.

Looking for some peace?

Oh, that would be welcome.

What would you do, if you knew someone was terribly ill

and that you could do something to help them?

I seem to remember that's why I became a doctor.

What if you are not a doctor?

I would hope I could do something.

Someone you know?

They have HIV.

Are they receiving treatment?

They have been persuaded not to take their medication.

By whom?

By someone who has convinced them they can be made better with prayer.

Prayer can help.

I know it can help.

But it can't cure. Not on its own.

I wish I could say with conviction that I think you are wrong.

Perhaps you need absolute faith for that to be true.

Perhaps my friend has a truer faith than mine.

Wasn't St Luke a doctor?

So they say.

Was prayer all he had to prescribe?

I went on a retreat once.

It was a mixture of faiths, but there was a retired vicar.

You know how some people exude spirituality, he exuded humanity.

He told us what he said was a modern parable.

A climber, who was deeply religious

broke his leg on the top of a mountain.

A helicopter came and he waved it away saying,

"Don't worry, God will help me."

A few hours later, another helicopter came.

Again, he waved it away, "Don't worry, God will help me."

A third helicopter came.

Again, he waved it away, "God will help me."

And he died.

So, he found himself in heaven standing before God...

And he said, "God, why didn't you help me?"

And God said, "What do you mean? I sent you three helicopters."

I have asked if I can give you a testament of my faith.

That story was given to me by someone who might not share our...

Well, MY beliefs,

but someone who is good and kind.

A colleague and a friend.

And also a doctor.

So...

I would like to talk about my belief in a healing God.

A God, for whom in sickness, we appeal in prayer.

But who also works through his appointed healers.

His nurses and his doctors.

God heals and the physician takes the thanks.

And so often, there is no thanks.

But you don't deny that it is God who heals?

No.

But, unlike the climber on the mountain top,

I also recognise that his healing comes in human form.

I see it every day in my colleagues.

Yes, they have their frailties, as we all do,

but I see the care they give and the love they give.

I see their knowledge, skill and compassion.

And in their compassion and their care, I see my God.

But you deny that God can heal through prayer?

Pray still. But also look to his healers.

And I would urge you most strongly to ignore those

who would counsel you otherwise.

Right, I've fixed the skirting board in the bedroom,

fixed the light under the stairs, trimmed the bush,

glued back the beading and fixed the banister

and I put a washer in the tap over there.

Thank you.

Now we can really relax.

I want to get a wash first.

Oh, I've put out three flannels, a new shower gel.

I've ironed your pyjamas and your slippers are by the bed.

Relax, I'm joking!

THEY MOCK LAUGH

I did not think I had any choice.

I asked you not to take any action.

My conscience would not allow me to do otherwise.

Did you think about the ramifications?

I thought about how I would feel when I heard about that woman's death!

If you were in a pub and you saw a drunk man take out his car keys,

what would you do?

It's not the same.

And you heard that same man had caused a fatal car accident?

-It's not the same.

-Could you live with your conscience?

That's a private matter. Not one that'd bring the surgery into disrepute.

You think that's what I have done?

I know you THINK you were acting for the best.

I was acting because the pastor told Laura to stop her medication.

She did not tell me.

It was my decision and she followed my example.

Your example?

We share the same illness.

Do you really have to go now, Patrick?

Want to get going before the traffic gets too heavy.

Stay for dinner. Traffic's always lighter after seven.

-All right, what's for dinner?

-Daddy likes Chinese.

He does?

A test of faith?

Mm-hm. You are not a believer?

-It's not a question of belief.

-It's very much about belief.

It's about treatment and it's available.

It made me sick.

It's a question of combinations, finding the right balance.

I found the right balance in my faith.

I think you are wrong.

I have seen miracles.

Where?

At congregation of the faithful. The cured have stepped forward.

There is no cure.

Blood tests have shown them to be cured.

There is no cure. We wish there was.

I know what I have seen. I know what I feel.

And I feel well.

The lesions on your face look like Kaposi's sarcoma,

which is often an indication that HIV has developed into full-blown AIDS.

I do not believe you.

Please. Please believe him!

"Put not your trust in princes, nor the son of man,

"in whom there is no help."

-We're offering all the help we can.

-I have all the help I need.

What about Helen?

I came because you wrongly accused her.

When I should have been accusing you?

It is not I who needs to question my faith.

Helen, the pastor is... isn't one of our patients.

I know.

What I'm saying is that it wouldn't be a problem if...

someone wanted to offer her some help.

Isn't it great that we can just sit here

without feeling the need to say anything?

Hm.

Actually, maybe we shouldn't just sit around.

No?

No, we should do something.

It's gone six and we haven't had dinner.

No, I don't mean now. I mean, something new, like a new hobby,

or a new course.

Well, I already feel personally developed.

Let's see what's on offer.

I feel like...learning a new skill. What do you reckon?

"I will trust and not be afraid - for the Lord is my strength."

Jujitsu?

There's Italian. We've always wanted to go to Italy.

Zany Zumba!

Yeah, sounds like a short cut to the Crazy Chiropractor!

-TV BLARES

-Oh, look, this is good.

What is it?

Loggers from Alaska. Crazy guys with chain saws.

HE LAUGHS

I didn't release that the car business was so complicated.

Dodgy, you mean?

What do you mean, dodgy?

Men in camel coats overcharging.

I'm sure Martin is very ethical.

He's still a bit of a Swiss Toni.

Who?

HE MIMICS SMOOTH ACCENT Selling cars is like making love to a beautiful woman.

Are you saying Martin's a wide boy?

-Well, you've got to admit, he's...

-No!

He's one of the most compassionate, interesting men I've met for...

Well, a very long time.

He's building his dream house in North Wales.

Asked me to move in with him.

You going to go?

It's not very far from here actually, just across the border.

That would mean leaving everything behind in Letherbridge.

Your house, The Mill.

That'd be a huge change.

Yes, it would.

Morning, old girl.

Happy birthday.

I am going to miss you.

Thank you.

Ooh! Go on, get out of here!

The glamour of it all(!)

Well, you're in the country now, my girl, you'd better get used to it.

Come and see the house.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd