Only Connect Doctors

-Oh, morning!

-Morning!

SHE SIGHS

Secure the future of The Mill, yes, but what Adrian's talking about...

Stretching the rules, certainly.

I'm just a little queasy about stretching them that far.

Aren't you?

Manoeuvring. For sound business reasons.

Backhanders.

That's what they're proposing.

I'm thinking practicalities here.

What are you two so cloak-and-dagger about?

ZARA CHUCKLES

Ah, good morning, Dr Willis.

Oh, morning, Mrs Tembe.

Er, did you speak to Dr Granger?

I thought the meeting went very...

S-Sorry. Hello?

Oh, Nurse Harris! Good morning.

"Conveniently located, excellent transport links", look.

Above a kebab shop on a busy main road in Letherbridge. Next!

OK. "Cosy garden flat, benefits from a fully fitted bathroom suite".

Poky basement, for sure.

Benefits from what?

It's estate agents. I swear, you gotta love 'em.

"Some modernisation needed, a real blank canvas, no upward chain".

Some poor old dear's just died, you've got to throw out

the 1950s carpet, get rid of the dry rot and re-wire the whole house.

Yeah, but I need to look at places I can actually afford this afternoon.

Yeah, but if I'm going to be living with you, I need something that reflects my style, you know?

You looking at more places this afternoon?

At this rate, I'm going to end up in a box room overlooking a car park.

OK, well, here's one with a "low-maintenance rear garden", look.

Mmmm, concreted over. Ah, he's got to find out for himself, I suppose.

Ugh!

I think she's just going along for the ride.

-Sorry?

-Ayesha.

You know, if you were worried about her moving out.

Oh, no. No, no. No, it's good to see people moving on.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

Anyway, it was only ever a stopgap at my place, so, er...

Fresh start is good for everyone.

Mm-hm.

They brighten the place up.

Er, yes, well, I bought them for my office, but I thought they would add a little, er...

Colour? Spirit? Happiness?

That's what we need, all right.

Yes, well, I'm not sure that cushions alone can...

They visited from The Mill, didn't they?

Ah, yes, they did.

There's rumours about a merger.

-I see.

-It's all right, Mrs Tembe. I know you can't say anything.

Shouldn't put you on the spot.

Must've been nice to see your old colleagues, anyhow.

Yes, it, er...it certainly was.

Bet you miss it there.

Well, I, er...

Well, I am very happy to be here, of course.

-Really?

-Oh, yes. It is wonderful to have...a challenge.

To meet new and interesting people.

Typical! Of all the inconsiderate, selfish...

-Dr Willis?

-My morning smoothie! I mean, it's not as if it wasn't...

..clearly labelled.

I'm sorry.

Well, there is still plenty left.

HE SLAMS THE FRIDGE DOOR

Has anyone seen my coffee mug?

And, er, which one is that, Mrs Maythorpe?

The one I always use. The red one.

Well, there...will this one do?

If you see it, kindly return it to the cupboard.

SHE SIGHS

Hey, um, look, I think you're right about the good of the practice,

but I think we've got to keep Jimmi out of this.

-I couldn't agree more.

-Yeah, we've got to be really vigilant.

Keep a close eye on the details.

-Everything OK?

-Absolutely.

Perfect.

Want to ask you both. Er, I know it's short notice, but would you come to dinner tomorrow night?

The kids have got a sleepover and it would be great to catch some time together away from this place.

Sorry.

Excuse me.

-Well, that's...

-Trish is a great cook.

Anthony, we'd love to.

Wonderful. Oh, and I promise not to talk shop.

-Really?

-Well, I'm under strict orders from Trish.

-THEY LAUGH

Now, is there anything we can bring?

Just yourselves, I think.

Oh, now, er, Mrs Maythorpe...about the holiday you put in for.

-Yes?

-Well, good news. I have, er, I've managed to sort out the clash,

so you are able to take it on the 24th.

All a bit last-minute, isn't it?

But you said you definitely wanted it...

Well, I'm not sure that week's convenient now.

Miss Shepstone took some persuading.

You want me out of the way?

I'm sorry?

We all know this practice is in trouble.

I can assure you...

Ship me off while the big decisions are being made?

..that your holiday has absolutely nothing to do with...

No, cos I'm at the doc's. I've an appointment with Doctor Willis.

I'm at the doc's!

Tell Alfie t'get your fags.

Right, I'll call you back, Mum.

An appointment with Dr Willis, I said.

Didn't realise you were speaking to me, Miss Stinner.

Are you kidding?

Good afternoon, Miss Stinner. How did the operation go?

Your diabetes check-up, correct?

-Yeah.

-Your appointment was yesterday.

No, it wasn't.

Yesterday, 12:05.

Your computer's wrong.

-I don't think so.

-I wrote it down. 12:05 on the 13th.

It's the 14th today.

And it's now 12:15.

Well, perhaps we could squeeze Miss Stinner in with...

Squeeze me?!

We are fully booked. You're aware how costly missed appointments are?

-Not like it's the first time.

-What did you say?

Ah, ah, er, I think that Nurse Harris has a cancellation.

Nurse Harris is already running behind.

Nurse! Is that all you've got?

Hello, can I help?

Er, yeah, we've got an appointment with Dr Reid. Well, I have, and it's Rhiannon Davis.

-OK, got you.

-Er, my boyfriend's been held up, but he is trying his best to get here.

Well, um, you're early. You've got plenty of time.

I always am these days. Don't want to miss any.

I have to write everything down.

Well, otherwise baby brain takes over.

Honest, it is like cotton wool.

Well, that's what happens as far as I remember.

It was a long time ago for me.

It's all on the calendar.

Paul says I've been dead organised since I got pregnant.

Hey, do you want to take a seat?

Ah, mm-hm.

PHONE RINGS

Mill Health Centre?

Oh, erm, Mrs Hollins, it is Mrs Tembe here.

Mrs Tembe, how are you doing?

Oh, very well. Very well indeed.

It was so lovely seeing you all last week.

At Dr Carmichael's.

Yeah, it was fun.

"Internal viewing recommended"? Yeah, because on the outside it looks like an absolute...

-You got my hopes up last week...

-Hold on, Mrs Tembe.

'I'm ever so sorry, I can't hear myself think here.'

-Sorry. Look, I've got three to view this afternoon, so just, best behaviour, all right?

-OK.

Hello, Mrs Tembe.

I should not have disturbed you.

No, no, no, it's all right! What can I do for you?

It's just to...

Er, no, it was just a follow-up conversation with Dr Granger, but it is not urgent...

Oh, he was here a minute ago! Daniel?

Oh, but, no! No, no, no, really. I can speak to him another time.

Well, no, is there anything...?

Yes, it is fine. It was lovely speaking to you, Mrs Hollins.

-And you.

-Goodbye.

All I get is some thicko nurse!

-Waited for ages...

-Keep the noise down!

-She hadn't even read me notes!

-I got behind!

I think we should all just calm down...

-Asking about a pain in me leg!

-I didn't know.

It's a blooming prosthetic!

-You're not helping yourself with this attitude.

-MY attitude!?

And YOU must read the notes properly, no matter how behind.

-What about your flaming attitude?

-Please, everyone!

What on earth is all this racket?

-Miss Stinner missed her appointment and Nurse Harris...

-THEY BICKER

Stop!

-Is that my mug?

-All of you!

Dr Willis, there seems to have been some confusion over Miss Stinner's appointment.

Missed appointment.

Thank you, Mrs Maythorpe.

Look, as you know, she has had a serious operation,

so if you have a window...

..I think it will help to calm the situation.

-Five minutes.

-Thank you.

I think that mug is mine.

I prefer Nicholas, after his grandad, but Paul keeps banging on about Brad.

You know after that Brad Guzan?

I'm afraid I don't.

-Oh, the Villa goalie.

-Oh, I see.

Anyway, he just wanted me to check this backache out.

He's dead supportive.

Good, I'm glad to hear it, Rhiannon.

-Got to be a team, haven't you?

-Yes, you certainly have.

Look, your electronic records haven't arrived, so hang on a second.

Karen, can you do me a favour?

Could you chase Rhiannon Davis' notes for me, please?

Thanks.

Right, in the meantime, let's have a look at your antenatal notes.

Um, no-one said to bring 'em.

-Oh, OK, no problem.

-Oh, I am so sorry.

No, no, don't worry, it's fine. It just means I'll have to ask you some

questions generally about your pregnancy. But let's have a look at that back first.

Do you want to stand up for me?

Right, whereabouts does it hurt?

-It's sort of twingey, here.

-OK.

And you'd said that you'd had the pain for a couple of months?

On and off.

Have you had any bleeding or period-type pain?

No, nothing like that.

Good. All right, sit down for me.

How has your pregnancy been in general?

Er, really good. Morning sickness at first, but now I'm just knackered.

All I want to do is sleep and eat.

Paul's been making me eat my greens.

Never liked broccoli, but you know, nutrients and all.

And is this your first pregnancy?

Rhiannon?

I lost my first baby.

I'm sorry.

That's a very tough thing to have to go through.

-KNOCK ON DOOR

-Come in.

Rhiannon, here he is.

-Still chasing those records.

-Thanks, Karen.

Sorry, I got stuck on um...

What?

Dr Reid was just asking about the first one.

Yeah, well, she gets really cut up talking about it.

Well, of course. I understand.

I'm all right.

You're as bad as the rest of them!

You put that down immediately or I'll call the police!

Miss Stinner!

I cannot allow you to abuse our staff.

It's all my fault according to him.

That is NOT what I said!

Think I wanted this?!

You were given advice on managing your diabetes.

-Now, if you choose not to...

-None of you give a monkeys!

Look, I know, I know you have been through a terrible time.

Yeah? You know what it's like to lose a part of you, do you?

Aagh! Oh, Miss Stinner!

-Miss Stinner.

-Ah!

-All right, careful.

So, have you been doing any strenuous exercise?

Um, not that strenuous and not that often...

Um, no, I didn't mean that. I was, um, speaking more generally.

Oh, God. I thought you...

Look, to be honest, I really don't think there's a problem, I think it's muscular.

So I'm going to give you a leaflet with some exercises to do that should help.

So it's nothing serious, then?

No, no, I don't think so. Back pain's quite common in pregnancy.

But there's some other resources in there, but of course if it continues then you must come back.

Oh, he's kicking!

-He's a Brad, all right.

-Oh, shut up.

Here, feel that.

-Quite the wriggler.

-You want to feel him when I sing.

-Oh?

-He's trying to get away.

-What do you sing, Paul?

-Rap.

-Rap?

-Yeah, he goes like mad when I do Rizzle Kicks.

-I'm sorry, I...

-Go on.

# There's times when I've acted stupid

# I guess I'm just learning It's different... #

Daft.

# ..But nothing else matters

# You know that I love you without any terms and conditions cos

# I, I, I, I, I-I-I

-# I love you more than you think

-I love you more than you think. #

Yep, OK.

I think he'd prefer to hear Beyonce.

People sing all sorts of things to their babies, Beyonce...

Elvis.

Have you got kids?

A son. But he's grown-up now, so...

Anyway, I think the two of you are going to make wonderful parents.

Does that hurt?

And this?

Well, you'll probably get some bruising but I don't think it's too drastic.

Oh, well, thank goodness.

I'm not going to lose an arm and all, then?

No, you're not.

But I could lose my other foot, you said.

There is a higher risk of you losing the other,

which is why taking care of your foot is so important.

You think I'm stupid.

Dr Willis is not saying that.

Best off finding another practice.

What? That would be a great shame if you left this practice.

Is that not right, Dr Willis?

You have been with this practice a long time, Carrie.

Too long.

There has been a misunderstanding, it seems.

If you would like to discuss this further,

I would be only too happy to talk to you.

Sometimes we forget the human connection when we are all so busy.

I don't want to lose my other foot.

No.

No, of course not. It must be very scary for you.

With the multidisciplinary team in place, we can minimise the risk.

I should've managed my diabetes better when I were younger, I know that.

Tried.

11, I was, when I was diagnosed.

And Mum, well... she had problems herself, so...

I am so sorry.

Well, look, if you don't feel any improvement then you must come back.

I will.

Make sure you enjoy every moment.

Even the sleepless nights.

I am not letting anything spoil this.

Thank you so much, Doctor.

You're welcome, it's been a pleasure to meet you both.

-See ya.

-Bye-bye.

-SHE SIGHS

-Do you remember that, Karen?

Waiting for the birth, all those hopes and fears and...

I'm sorry.

No, no, no. I remember it...in flashes.

Sweethearts, aren't they?

Yeah. They've got it all ahead of them.

I can't believe you made me rap!

You all right?

Eh!

You heard what she said. You did good in there.

You reckon?

I am very glad you are staying at the practice.

I'm sorry if I got wound up.

You have been through a lot.

You've been...

Cheers for helping me out.

You know, we are very adaptable as humans.

We do it over and over again...

..even in the most difficult of circumstances.

See ya.

Goodbye, Miss Stinner.

Nurse Harris.

Mrs Maythorpe. A word, please.

What have I done?

I am concerned about the tension.

Tension?

You two clash.

You take offence at the slightest provocation

and the atmosphere here is terrible.

What is going on?

We none of us know what's happening with the practice.

All this...

uncertainty.

I've been here 30 years,

never seen it like this.

I've thought about handing my notice in.

I've been looking out for new jobs myself.

Can I help you, Emma?

Sorry. Um, no, I was just, um...

Everything OK?

Yes, fine.

Well, it's conveniently located.

Yeah, for penny chews and scratch cards.

Don't judge a book by its cover.

Hi, I'm Dr Vere.

Will this take long, Mrs Tembe?

Just a few minutes of your time, that's all I need.

Ah, can I have your attention, please?

Thank you.

You may be wondering why I have asked you here,

especially as we are so busy.

I-I have something to say which may not be easy to hear.

This practice...

..is not a pleasant place to work.

It is becoming poisonous.

Oh, look, a fridge in the hallway.

Oh, nice. Handy for a midnight snack, isn't it?

What makes the NHS so great

is the people that work for it.

The staff who go above and beyond.

All of you, who are not financially rewarded

for the extra effort and care that you give.

I know that some of you are unsettled and...

And you have heard rumours,

and you are concerned about the future of the practice.

But...

..whatever changes may or may not happen,

we have to stay strong together.

We have to work as a team.

The simplest kindness can mean so much.

A thank you to a colleague,

a smile for a job well done...

..a cup of tea in a favourite mug.

The reason we care so passionately about our profession,

why we will protect it to the hilt,

is our patients,

and the difference that we make to their lives every single day.

And the way you treat each other impacts directly on our patients.

You are all capable of so much more, for goodness' sake!

This is simple humanity.

I know that some of you might think I am being blunt but...

But it had to be said.

I'm sorry.

We could do something with that second bedroom, you know, a bit of carpet-cleaning, lick of paint.

Bedroom? More like a cupboard.

What?!

What?

Whatever you do, don't look in the bathroom.

Please, can we go?

(Yeah.)

You're no bother at all, Mrs Haynes, and so sorry to have kept you.

Too strong?

Perfect.

Thank you, Jenny.

Noah Williams?

Dr Hall will be with you shortly, Noah.

Why don't you save up a bit more till you can afford something better?

I can't stand living with my housemates any more.

And besides, the rent's so high I'm hardly saving anything anyway.

Well, why don't I ask Emma if you can move into Niamh's old room?

What, move in with you and Emma?

Dead cheap, not a horror story.

Emma needs the company more than she needs the money.

Yeah, but all of us in one house? I don't know.

I reckon it would be a laugh.

Don't know why I didn't think about it before.

-Here you go.

-You seem brighter.

Yeah.

I've had Howard on the brain today and the baby.

Oh, Emma.

No, not in a morbid way.

At least not since I saw this couple.

Hey, our patients as tonic. Wonderful.

Yeah, this girl, Rhiannon, she was so, I don't know, full of life

and enthusiastic about her pregnancy, and that's after a miscarriage.

What was her last name?

Er, Davis. Rhiannon Davis.

She's on my books.

And?

Emma, she didn't have a miscarriage.

Well, she said that she'd lost her first and...

I didn't have her notes.

The baby was removed due to neglect.

What?

Why on earth wasn't I told?

I don't know.

And I'm afraid this baby's likely to be removed as well.

I love quiz night!

-'Are you happy?'

-'Wonderfully.'

What do you guys think of Anthony?

What's your take?

-I don't like him.

-I hate to say it, mate,

but you don't always get the right measure of people, do you?

Once you get everything right, everything complimentary,

you start seeing results.

To the future.

-The future.

-The future.