Boisterous Doctors

Please, after you.

-Can I watch the telly?

-Erm, no.

TURNS TELEVISION ON

-Can I have something to eat?

-You can have a biscuit.

Just one!

-He's quite a handful.

-Mm.

Why don't you sit down?

Do you want me to look at your ankle before we get started?

No.

I should give it more rest, but it's getting better slowly.

-What are you doing?

-Testing your grandad's blood sugar levels.

-What's that?

-Rufus!

-Why don't you just watch?

-Have you got injections?

-Yes, and they're very sharp.

There you go.

Black coffee?

Oh, dear.

There she is.

Erm, Dr Haskey, Dr Reid.

Mrs Tembe, about the temporary Practice Manager...

Dr Carmichael, I just need to have a word with them.

Are you fully prepared?

-Yes.

-Ish.

You need to establish the facts.

-Gather the evidence.

-Precisely.

Are we being a little harsh here? This is Ruhma we're talking about.

You cannot let your emotions get the better of you.

I am relying on you both to stay calm, detached and professional.

-Are you sure you've got the right people here?

-Speak for yourself.

I have...

full faith in...

in you.

Oh, thanks.

GADGET BEEPS

5.8. Seems OK.

-No school today?

-Grandad said I don't have to go.

-Really?

Well, I knew that you were coming this morning

and, erm, I thought that while you were here...

I'm here to monitor your diabetes.

Yes, I know,

but, I thought, if you saw him...

What he's like.

You could give me a professional opinion.

She's flying off to Botswana and leaving us in the hands of a complete stranger.

I'm sure she has everything under control.

Caffeine won't do anything for your anxiety levels.

Oh, I was just telling Valerie that, erm...

Dry January had taken a bit of a beating last night.

-Less than halfway through the month.

-Two full weeks, I'll have you know.

And four days more than someone I could mention.

Daniel!

-Afraid so.

-In his defence...

-My defence?

It's the most stupid idea I've ever heard of. Dry January!

The coldest, wettest month of the year

just when you really need a glass of red wine in your hand.

-And, anyway, it's such a cliche.

-Well, I've never felt so cleansed.

And alive!

-Good for you.

-No, honestly, this January has sparkled.

Course, it wasn't easy at first.

No alcohol, no processed foods, no stimulants of any kind,

including coffee.

-We can't all be as good as you, Valerie.

-Well, no, obviously not.

Do you know, I have read that cutting out stimulants

from your diet can have enormous advantages.

-Really?

-Mm.

Increased libido.

-I hardly think so.

-Yeah. Improved concentration, better sleep,

and it sets an excellent example to your children.

And there was I thinking that clean eating and going teetotal

just made you miserable and even more boring.

You threatened to take away her caffeine.

Rufus!

-You see what I mean?

-There's nothing I can do, Douglas.

It's too much. He's my grandson and I love him...

Talk to your daughter. If you're really that worried,

-get her to bring him in.

-Just look at him.

He's a boy, he's meant to be boisterous,

but he never stops, he never listens,

he won't sit still for more than five minutes

even if I put him in front of the television.

-Rufus, stop doing that. Come here, please.

-I'm busy.

I said, come here!

Maybe it's me. I'm getting old.

Diabetes and a broken ankle. It's difficult to cope.

And things are done differently nowadays.

Standards of behaviour are not what they were.

All I'm asking for is a preliminary opinion.

Is there something wrong with him?

Mum.

-What's happened? Are you all right? Are you hurt?

-No, no, he's fine.

-What's going on? Why isn't he at school?

-Becky...

-What is she doing here?

-She's measuring Grandad's sugar levels.

-She was looking at you.

-She was just examining him.

-No, I'm not.

-You can't examine my son without my permission.

-I haven't. I'm not.

Well, who invited you?

You brought her here to look at Rufus without asking me,

without my permission?

She's late.

-No, no, no. This is full of holes.

-What do you mean?

Her story doesn't hold up.

All right, let's not pre-empt anything.

It resembles a sieve.

It's the partners who should be doing this, not us.

Well, that's not going to happen. Tembe and Ruhma, they're friends.

She doesn't want to do the dirty on her. She's left it to us.

We've got to sort something out and then take the flak.

And all this stuff about how, ooh, she trusts us,

she wants us to feel part of the team.

That is just prime grade management malarkey.

She's playing us because she wants me to shut up and stop complaining about the extended hours.

I'm not going to shut up or stop complaining.

If I could just get a word in edgeways?

Tell me, what's it like living in such a miserable world?

Because maybe, just maybe,

Mrs Tembe has asked us to do this because of our sense of...

rationale or compassion?

Oh, right.

And that's your rationale and my compassion is it?

Shut up.

I'll sort this out.

She was coming here today anyway. My diabetes examination.

-I just thought...

-Is he ill?

-I don't know.

-Why would you do this?

-What do you think is wrong with him?

-He's out of control.

Only because you let him get the upper hand.

-What do you expect me to do, beat him?

-All right, let's calm down.

You have no say in this house.

You examined my son in my absence without my consent.

You walk out that door now or this becomes a legal matter.

I came to examine Mr Harper and I haven't touched your son.

-Get out!

-It's not her fault. I asked her to examine him.

Fine. You can go too.

Go on, get out, both of you!

-Is it possible she's fled the country?

-No.

But it is possible she doesn't want to have to do this.

I don't want to have to do this, yet here I am.

-We're not all as dependable as you, Al.

-Ain't that the sad truth?

Oh. You look how I feel.

Aspirin?

Thank you.

Don't tell Valerie.

She means well.

Doesn't she just?

So, look, that business with Mrs Tembe.

-Are you worried?

-Concerned.

She says she's sorted someone to cover her absence

but she won't tell me who.

I thought we'd agreed it was her decision who she appoints.

I didn't agree.

And what if she hasn't actually found someone?

If the worst comes to the worst, Karen and Valerie can hold the fort.

Gobby and Chirpy?!

It won't come to that.

All done.

Thank you.

How are you feeling?

Stressed.

I meant the diabetes.

Well, I'd rather not have it, but it's under control.

And the stress?

Huh.

We're doing these checks in your car, in my daughter's drive.

I think she'll probably let you back in.

You can sort of understand why she's annoyed.

She wasn't meant to come home.

That's not an excuse.

-You went behind her back.

-But she won't talk about it.

I'm sorry I dragged you into all this.

Do you want some help getting back on your feet?

Do you think we could leave it a minute or two?

She normally takes a few moments to calm down.

Sure.

Come in.

Hi, Ruhma. Come in, take a seat.

-I'm sorry that I'm a bit late.

-Not at all.

-A bit?!

Anyway, can I get you anything? A glass of water?

No, I'm fine. Can we just get on with it, please?

Yeah, of course.

Right... Well, first things first,

this isn't a formal panel, all right?

The partners have asked me and Al to go through with you

what has happened and then to try and find the best way forward

for everyone concerned.

-Sounds like I need a lawyer.

-No. No, not at all.

Well, unless she wants a lawyer or a union rep?

It's your call. Totally up to you.

Can I make a statement?

Right, OK,

-but, as I said, this is not a formal process.

-Fine.

The women that I have been helping, have helped,

are in this country illegally.

I first became aware of their situation, their existence even,

through a mum-to-be who was concerned about their welfare.

I have no regrets about the actions I took and I would do it again.

I've seen what happens to these women

when they are found out by the authorities.

And I have no intention of giving you any further details

about the women or my activities.

And if you expect me to name any names

or sell these women down the river, then I will get up right now

and I will walk out of that door and I will keep going.

I should be at work. I only came back because I left some papers here this morning.

That was silly!

Well, actually, you were making such a fuss about your games kit

and not eating your breakfast, and Grandad wasn't any help,

and I had too many things on my mind and I just forgot, OK?!

-You mustn't shout.

-And you don't get to tell me what to do!

-TURNS TELEVISION ON

-Turn that off.

Rufus!

-TV:

-Do you think you know?

Pip says...

No screens in your room.

Rufus!

No screens in your room!

Ruhma, look, I think we both know where you're coming from,

and it's perfectly understandable

that you've clearly formed a connection with these patients

and it's commendable just how much you've gone out of your way

to help them.

But we have to deal with the legal and professional issues,

so, without compromising your position,

can you explain a little more about how you came to be

in this situation?

-Can I come in?

-Where's Dad?

In the car.

Best leave him there a bit. Give him a chance to calm down.

That's what he said, more or less.

I looked very carefully at your chain of events.

Ruhma, it's...it's full of holes.

-Al...

-Great gaping holes.

Specifically involving Besa.

You see, I don't believe that she got the treatment she did

on a dodgy NHS number.

We all know that's not how it works. The system has too many checks.

And that led me to the conclusion that the NHS number

was in fact legitimate, it just wasn't hers.

So, the question for you is,

why did you give her treatment on that number?

You're not the kind of person who would do that.

You're not the kind of person who would know how to do that.

My hypothesis is that someone else helped you get that number.

Al, this is not an interrogation.

There's someone else involved, isn't there?

You think that I couldn't do this on my own?

No, I don't. No offence, but there's clearly a conspiracy here.

The question is how wide it goes.

It was me. There's no conspiracy, Al.

There's no need to look for anyone else because it was just me.

I did not examine your son. That's not why I'm here.

I would never do that without your permission.

-Dad set the whole thing up.

-He's just worried.

-He's always worrying.

-Well, maybe for good reason.

-Like what?

-I don't know, you tell me, but something's not working.

You've just kicked out an old man who's got a broken ankle

-and your son skipped school today because your dad thinks he's got ADHD.

-Attention deficit?

-That's why he asked me to examine him.

-I had no...

-Do you think that's why...?

-Can we talk about your dad?

That would explain everything, really. I thought it was just me.

You know, too busy to cope, no father figure, no discipline.

That's why I asked Dad to live with us.

But if it's all just biochemical...

We don't know what it is, if it's anything at all.

But there are drugs, aren't there? Not the zombie ones.

But the stuff to balance out what's going on in his brain,

get everything back to normal.

I want you to look at him.

We'll get him on a sensible, balanced regime.

I'll call him, and then I really must get back to work.

-What difference does it make?

-Oh, fine, I'll say it again.

If she acted alone, then this is a "rogue midwife" scenario

and The Mill is off the hook, but if someone else did help her

and they were in and of this building, then we are all doomed.

Don't be ridiculous! The Mill can't be held responsible for the actions of one midwife.

-One midwife plus the person who helped her.

-All right, enough.

This isn't about me or the practice...

This is about you and it is about the practice!

Al, why can't you just understand why we need to help these women?

Heaven help the NHS if you can't see that.

-That's not what we're saying.

-Yes, it is!

You're more worried about the process, liabilities and your jobs.

I give up. You know, I'm done. No, we are done,

-OK, because I resign.

-What?

-I can't do this any more.

I want to be somewhere where I can achieve something.

-KNOCK ON DOOR

-Come in.

-Ah, Dr Granger.

-Mrs Tembe.

I know that we said that we would leave you to it

but we were wondering...

Well, I was wondering whether you needed any assistance

in finding someone for while you're away.

Well, that is very kind of you, Dr Granger,

but I have everything under control.

We have an excellent candidate

who is willing and able to take the reins.

That's what I said.

Is there anything else?

Who is it?

-What? My replacement?

-Yeah.

Regrettably, I cannot tell you or Dr Carmichael

until certain formalities have been completed.

I would not want to tell you a name and then have to disappoint you.

But there is a name?

Oh, yes, there is a name.

OK.

He'll be down in a minute.

He moves things around.

I've got a case conference this afternoon

-and the papers should be here.

-I'm not sure Rufus is the problem.

Not all of it, anyway.

He might have ADHD or he might not.

I'm not an expert, I have no special training.

But, to me, he just looks like an ordinary 11-year-old boy.

-He's not ordinary.

-OK, but before we go down the medical route with Rufus,

could we just have a chat about how things are at home generally?

It's not my fault.

-I'm not blaming anyone.

-Do you have any idea?

I'm trying to hold down a serious job

and I've got Rufus on my back constantly,

demanding this, demanding that, just demanding all the time.

And Dad hobbling about the house, no use to anyone.

He can't get Rufus to school in the morning.

Look at the state of the place. He hasn't even put the breakfast things in the dishwasher.

He is getting on a bit. And his ankle.

Yeah, yeah, his ankle. There's always something.

He is not a child-minder or your housemaid!

Do you know how hard it is to be a single mum?

I know loads of single mums, mums who really struggle,

and they don't moan half as much as you.

-Ruhma, you can't just leave.

-It's not a formal panel.

I don't mean now, I mean you can't resign.

You're an experienced, trained midwife.

You can't just walk away from that.

I know what I need to do and I can't do it here.

Are you going to forget about your patients here and all your training?

Do you ever listen to anyone other than yourself?

-Not when they're talking as much nonsense as you are.

-All right!

That's enough! Enough, both of you!

Come on, Ruhma.

You're really going to give up your whole career?

Apparently she is, because that's what...

Not helping, Al!

She's a really talented, experienced midwife,

and she's going to use this as an excuse just to walk away.

You know what it is?

It's a betrayal. That's the word, isn't it?

A betrayal of everything that you believe in.

Everything that, coincidently, we also believe in!

All right, that's not the language that I would have used,

but he's got a point.

Ruhma, I don't think that you've thought this through.

And I don't think you have even listened to a word that I've said,

-either of you.

-I just don't understand.

The passion that you have for your work, the joy you get from it.

There's a national shortage of midwives, you know that?

-Think of all the unborn babies.

-OK, listen up, Al.

All I've said is I'm not going to be able to work here.

I'm not going to stop being a midwife.

I'm going to be a midwife somewhere where they need me most.

Whether it's a charity or working directly with these women.

Have you got any moral objections to that, Dr Al Haskey?

Get out.

Oh.

Do you know what she just said to me?

No, but it was probably half of what you deserve.

I love you, Becky, and I am so proud of what you've achieved.

I love my grandson to bits,

even when he's being a right pain in the backside.

But we can't go on like this. The situation is intolerable.

The next time you show me or my friends the door,

I will walk away.

KNOCK ON DOOR Come in.

Benjamin Galadima.

Who?

Benjamin Galadima.

He will be the temporary Practice Manager while I am away.

-Do I know him?

-No, I do not think so.

I have been mentoring him as part of an NHS management scheme.

He's quite young, but we are very fortunate to get him.

-And the secrecy?

-Oh, no secrecy, Dr Carmichael.

He has only just confirmed his availability.

Of course.

And if I or one of the other partners considered him to be

a little too young or inexperienced for this level of responsibility...

I'm afraid it is probably too late

to get somebody else at such short notice.

Well, it is now!

How fortunate, then,

that Mr Galadima is such a fine candidate.

Look, I am confident that you will barely notice that I have gone away.

You overstepped your authority.

How dare you seek to procure a medical opinion on my son?

You put me in loco parentis.

Under no circumstances would I put you in loco parentis.

In absentia.

Oh, for goodness' sake, you sound like a pair of lawyers!

Right. I might have guessed.

So lawyers are supposed to be smart, aren't they?

And logical.

I think "objective" might be the word you're looking for.

Exactly.

So, Becky, you've got this client.

She's hard-working, a single mum, and she's got a boy who's a bit...

-Boisterous?

-That's the one.

What objective advice would you give to her?

How should she deal with her boy?

He's going to be a teenager soon so she needs to deal with it now,

otherwise it's just going to get worse.

She should get the boy a medical appointment.

Maybe.

She could take him to see a doctor,

get him an initial assessment for ADHD or something.

But it's more than that.

-Before that.

-All right, I get the point.

No, say it.

She should talk to him...

find time for him.

That's what I'd recommend.

-And what about her dad?

-He's, erm...

Well, he probably finds the whole situation as stressful as she does.

Yeah.

She probably thought she was getting a live-in baby-sitter

and a cleaner.

And when the boy gets too much for her,

she probably finds an excuse to stay late at the office

and hopes that he's in bed when she gets home.

When her dad tries to talk to her about it, she pretends not to hear,

and when he asks someone for help, she kicks him out.

She's a bit of a cow, really.

I shall have some strong words with her.

So, what are we going to do?

Do you really want to leave?

I just want to be useful.

Do you think we can get Ruhma off the hook somehow?

Well, we're here trying to gather the facts, aren't we?

It's just that the facts aren't very helpful.

Mm.

All right.

What if...

-you go on the offensive?

-What do you mean?

You make a complaint right at the top about how badly asylum seekers

who are pregnant are treated?

I'm not really good at all that campaign stuff.

I'm more on the ground sort of person.

You've got to be more realistic. You cross this line again and they're going to take you out.

OK.

Erm...

OK, how about if I work with women that have already been detained?

So, I go to the detention centres, but I do it...

officially?

Well, it's a good suggestion.

You could do that part time and then...

-that way, you could stay with the practice.

-Yeah.

-Do you think the partners will go for it?

-The partners would love it.

We're accentuating the positive, aren't we?

Whatever keeps you here, keeps you in midwifery, that's what I say.

And that's what the powers-that-be should be saying too.

Speaking of the powers-that-be,

I'm afraid you should expect a slap on the wrists.

Do you think they'd really agree to it?

Maybe.

It's worth a go.

Thank you. Thank you, both of you. Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Bye, Rufus.

Have you cured Grandad?

She's done wonders.

I'm sorry.

Have you considered a career in the law?

You could wipe the floor with most counsels.

-Thank you.

-No problem.

-Can I watch telly?

-In a minute.

Rufus.

Work in progress on several fronts.

Good luck.

Has to be said, Emma, Mrs Tembe knew what she was doing

when she roped you in for that.

Well, you weren't so bad yourself with your forensic details.

It's all been some kind of ruse.

Mrs Tembe wants to get me on side. Well, she has failed.

Well, maybe that's just the cynical world you live in, Dr Haskey.

Meanwhile, back in the real world, Mrs Tembe -

she can see right through you.

Come in.

-Lunch?

-Yes, but come in and shut the door.

Come over here and see this.

This is Benjamin Galadima,

Mrs Tembe's protege,

and our new temporary Practice Manager.

Seriously?! What school does he go to?

That is not a school uniform, my friend. That is a cheap suit.

-Are you sure it's him?

-Oh, yes. I have been checking him out online.

And it gets better. Do you want to know where he gets his

-extensive management experience?

-Yeah.

-Groceries!

He's a supermarket manager, or used to be.

He joined the NHS a few years ago and Mrs Tembe's been mentoring him.

A supermarket manager!

"A Woman is an Island".

I think if I was an island, I would like to be Gran Canaria.

-That was an exchange, right?

-Yep.

-You've got to stop following me.

-I'm here to see the doctor.

When are you going to tell them the truth about us?

A creator does not stop creating.

That is an abandonment of an oath with one's talent.