Stepping up to the Plate Holby City

Someone else can deal with Jeremy.

And I'm sorry if I'm letting you down,

but my mum and dad didn't bring me up to let people be rude and horrible to me.

I didn't know she had it in her.

I've got a work placement offer. It's in America.

I'm not going to live in a different country to my kids.

With you as professor and head of the Transplant Centre,

we would attract the highest calibre of staff and students.

No more nights on a single bed. Yours is really convenient,

but mine's...more comfortable.

Oh, for heaven's sake!

Try pulling the skin taut and tapping the vein lightly.

Sorry.

No need to apologise.

Sorry. For saying sorry.

Sorry, I don't usually have this problem.

I usually do it about ten times a day.

-Just a sharp scratch.

-HE WINCES

Nurse Lane, I suggest we call it a day.

I think the poor man's had enough, don't you?

-Oh, Simon? Have you got a minute?

-Sure.

The covering consultant has been on for over ten hours already.

Yeah, but he's leaving now. Oh, OK, what would you like me to do?

Rugby-tackle him?

Will you just tell me, yes or no,

is someone coming to cover the night shift?

-No! I won't hold, actually. No.

-Never fear.

-Spence is here.

-I thought you were supposed to be in Florida.

Yeah, that was the plan, until your boyfriend went AWOL.

You've been planning this for ages.

Yes, but as Clinical Lead I must be,

"prepared to make sacrifices in times of crisis".

-And you just went along with that?

-Have you tried to say no to Hanssen?

-You can't have seen your kids for...

Nine weeks, two days and four hours. AND today is Charlie's birthday.

Oh, Michael, I'm sorry.

Well, it's not all bad, I got a refund on the tickets

and we're just going to celebrate his birthday over the net.

So you're a virtual dad now?

Mr Hemingway hasn't left me much choice.

Urgent case - bed three.

Palpitations and shortness of breath.

It could happen to anyone. Veins aren't always obvious.

They were obvious to Simon.

Cola bottle?

Ms Campbell gave me this earlier -

Specialist Nursing Training.

She thought I'd be good at it. Bet she doesn't now.

No-one gets it right every time.

Not even hardened professionals.

It's like being back at school,

getting a place on the netball team and then missing every shot.

I was always the last person to be picked.

I've got every faith in you, Chantelle.

I've even sat in a car and put my life in your hands.

Look, if you're serious about making something of your career,

then you need to be more confident, stand up for yourself.

Trust in your training,

trust your instincts.

You'll get there.

Look at this thing,

I could be playing Pin The Tail On The Donkey with my son,

instead I'm giving rectal examinations.

You should've said no.

Well, unfortunately I don't have Mr Hemingway's relaxed approach

to collective responsibility.

And the moral of the story is, never trust a hippy.

Mr Holdsworth has a history of cardiomyopathy.

Gold star, Jac, it is why I called you here.

Lucky he didn't croak on your watch. Why wasn't he sent straight to us?

Because ED said you had no beds.

And you believe them?

It's not like you to take your eye off the ball, Nurse McKee.

Get him transferred, now.

She's had a lot on her mind, we have staffing issues.

You should call Sacha. He's always a soft-touch when you're desperate.

Sacha is looking after Daniel. Some of us have families.

Oh, yes. I forgot...

all reliable, hardworking doctors are loner sociopaths like me.

Which reminds me, where is Hemingway?

That's what we'd all like to know!

Your wife had a fall?

From a ladder.

She was putting up curtains in the nursery, lost her balance.

I'm fine, please... But can someone please check the baby?

They listened to the baby's heartbeat in the ED.

There seems to be no cause for concern.

But I landed really heavily.

-Any pain, or bleeding?

-No.

-Cramping?

I can't lose her.

Please, not now.

It's going to be OK.

Deep breaths, come on. I need you to calm down.

I think I'm going to be sick.

-SHE VOMITS

-It's OK.

This isn't unusual, she's had morning sickness all the way through.

It says in the notes that there's some bruising.

Did you hit your head?

I can't remember.

Did she lose consciousness at all?

I wasn't there.

I think I might have blacked out.

Yep, I think that we should do an MRI.

No way. I'm not doing anything that might harm my baby.

She's IVF, sixth attempt. We're a bit paranoid.

A CT scan wouldn't be advisable because of the radiation levels,

but an MRI is perfectly safe.

I don't need it, OK? I just had a stupid little fall. I'm fine.

My head is fine. I just want to go home.

I'm sure you're right,

but I strongly recommend that you stay for observation

and have the MRI.

Please, listen to them. You said yourself it was a bad fall.

And whose fault was that?

If you stay it'll give you a chance to rest, calm down a bit,

maybe have another think about the scan.

In order to keep your baby safe, we need to keep you both fighting fit.

OK.

In addition to diabetes, smoking and obesity,

can anyone tell me what the major risk factor is

in the development of coronary heart disease?

Am I keeping you, Mr Davies?

No, good.

Look, I am aware that you are all anxious about your exam results,

but in the meantime, your full concentration would be appreciated.

The answer is of course...

cholesterol. Good.

Sorry I'm late, Mr Hope.

-No, it's fine. I got your note.

-I had to pick up my son.

Right, OK. Sit down.

We're looking at the heart's greatest enemy...

cholesterol.

Right, now, this diagram relates to the metabolism of cholesterol.

Would anyone like to connect the pathway?

Ms Alcock.

Right, so, as you can see,

cholesterol is converted into Pregnenolone,

then in to androstenedione,

then into testosterone,

and it's finally converted into oestrogen.

Which proves without a doubt

that women are more evolved than men.

THEY CHUCKLE

Very good, thank you. OK.

-A drunken hobo. Great, this day gets better(!)

-Jeff Rydell. He's 46.

Found drunk in the street.

Semiconscious and complaining of severe abdominal pains.

-Notes?

-I'm waiting on St James's.

It's probably chronic liver disease,

but let's wait till we get his history.

Continue to push IV fluids, let's do obs every 15 minutes.

Whisky, cider and halitosis - I love this job.

You know, Hemingway hasn't called me.

-When was the last time you spoke to him?

-I'll chase those notes.

Look, I'm not trying to pry. Or upset anyone.

In fact, I don't give a damn about your relationship.

I just need to know if Luc is planning on coming back,

because if he's not, my life is going to be hell.

Call HR. Or, actually, don't - just go. We'll cope.

Really?

You could drop dead and AAU would still go on, you know?

You know, I don't like letting people down.

What about your family, Michael?

It's all right to let them down, is it?

James has gone to try and find some plain biscuits.

Oh, you should've asked me.

Always got a little stash of goodies in my bag.

Not sure coconut snowballs would have done the trick, though.

-A glass of water would be nice, though.

-Sure.

-SHE RETCHES

-Oh...

I thought the sickness was usually over by 12 weeks.

You're so unlucky.

It sounds stupid, but every time I throw up I'm grateful.

Never thought I'd make it this far.

I'll put up with anything.

Just want to keep her safe.

Course you do.

I'm sorry if I was a bit hysterical earlier.

I know all babies are precious, but...

You've had to really fight for this one.

THEY CHATTER

Right. Mr Davies? Thank you.

Mr Davies, a little souvenir. Well done. Well done.

See you at Albie's. Drinks are on me.

They're results are terrific. I'm so proud of them.

I could murder a rum and coke right now. Double shot. Crushed ice. Lime.

Big downside of this fat lump.

They're like my little children,

making their first steps towards independence.

They're happy now, but it won't last.

Soon they'll be as disillusioned as the rest of us.

Speak for yourself. I couldn't be happier.

That's the delusional dementia setting in.

Not even you can burst my bubble today, Jac.

Wait, this came to me by mistake.

Thank you.

Well?

My log-in's not working, everyone else's was fine.

All right, well, check the shift key's not locked.

I spilt some hot chocolate on the keyboard,

it might be a bit dodgy still.

There we go.

That can't be right.

I'll phone student admin.

-Don't bother.

-Barbara...

What about the valve replacement? Mo said you could observe.

There's no point now, is there?

Look, Barbara...

I can't.

You haven't eaten anything in hours, you've got to eat.

I'll just fill this up for you.

I'm so sorry.

What for?

I shouldn't have snapped at you like that.

I don't blame you.

-It's fine.

-No, it's not. It's not.

I'm all over the place.

It doesn't bother me.

It should. Me being like this

when you've been so patient and worked so hard to get us here.

I know, I'm a saint.

I'm serious.

I appreciate everything, I really do.

It just gets lost sometimes.

We're going to be fine, OK?

Once we're out the other side.

Anyway, you've always been a moody ,

-I'm sort of used to it by now!

-Oi!

Please, can we go home now? I'm feeling much better.

I'm going to have to speak to Mr Griffin.

There's no point.

SHE RETCHES

Shh. It's all right. It's all right.

I'll be back in one sec.

I'll chase those notes.

Mr Griffin, I'm worried about Sarah. She's still very nauseous.

It just doesn't feel right.

That's why she needs the MRI.

She won't have it, she's absolutely adamant.

I think that YOU could persuade her.

Me?

Just explain to her that the dangers of a possible head injury

far outweigh any fears she may have.

She's putting her baby at risk by refusing to have it.

They trust you.

Hey, Annalese, it's me. I've got a surprise for the birthday boy,

so get him to the computer.

I'm on the phone to Charlie. Any problems, I'm in my office.

Huh? What?

What, it's right now? You didn't tell me that.

OK, well, just tell me what time is a good time to call.

All right, 6pm your time.

Fine, I'll call then.

Did he get the dinosaurs I sent? Special delivery?

Will you stop? Of course I take an interest.

He's a kid, they change their minds all the time...

Stop trying to guilt-trip me OK? It's ridiculous.

I am not losing them.

I'll call you later. OK, bye.

Radiology can see her now.

I'd pick you for my netball team every time.

There was a message for you from Mr Hamilton,

asking you to call him.

Thanks.

Nothing urgent, but he did ask what time your shift finished.

Ooh! Better call him then, hadn't I?

OK.

I'm sorry we've been so awkward.

You're bound to be anxious. This is a very precious baby.

-I understand that.

-That's why Sarah trusts you.

Is she discharging herself?

No. She's going for her MRI.

How on earth did you manage that?

I didn't.

Just relax.

And we're just through there,

so we'll see you when you come out.

This is all my fault.

Don't be silly.

I promised Sarah I'd be home by 5pm to help put up the curtains.

You didn't mean to be late.

Maybe I did.

Work can be a bit of a refuge.

Sometimes I just want our old life back.

Just me and Sarah.

Maybe that was enough.

Have either of you seen Barbara?

Older lecturer, eager student - it's such an embarrassing cliche.

-I have warned you before.

-Don't be ridiculous.

You seem very hot and bothered.

It's called professional concern.

Congratulations, Mr Hope. An excellent set of results.

You must be very proud. Rightly so.

-Thank you, but...

-Keep up the good work.

What's your problem?

You just got a pat on the back from Darth Vader.

Barbara failed.

She must've been distracted by your animal magnetism.

We've had your MRI results back.

And?

There is one area that I'm not 100% happy with,

but I'm hopeful that it will clear up without intervention.

So we can go now?

I'm afraid not. I've spoken to neurosurgery

and they'd like to keep you in for observation.

Please? I've had enough of hospitals, and if it's nothing serious...

We do need to monitor you,

just to make absolutely sure.

Nurse Lane, half-hourly neuro-obs, please.

So you'll be here?

Yep. All night.

Look on the bright side,

you might get a decent sleep without me snoring.

The obstetrician's on his way down to look at the baby,

so you'll both be able to say goodnight.

How was Charlie?

Haven't been able to speak to him yet.

Bay two needs an enema.

-"Please" would be nice.

-Please.

The junkie in bay six says that Hemingway treated him last week

but I can't find his notes.

Does this guy EVER do any paper work?

I mean, maybe that's why he left - couldn't face the backlog.

Or he just couldn't face you.

What's your problem?

My problem is that I shouldn't even be here right now.

No. You should be with your son on his birthday,

but you made the choice, Michael, so deal with it.

Mr Thompson was a star on the breast cancer fun run. He went as Papa Smurf, red leggings and everything.

The Lycra showed my calf muscles off to perfection.

Make-up was a nightmare though, I looked blue for weeks.

Everybody thought I had hypothermia.

OK, there's the heart beating, look.

All four chambers present and correct.

Let's have a listen, shall we?

Heart rate is normal.

Nice straight limbs.

Growth good for dates.

Come on, you. Don't want to keep still for me, do you?

-This one's going to be big trouble.

-Like her mother.

THEY LAUGH

There we go, look - the money shot.

There's the forehead, there's the nose,

top and bottom lip.

Looks pretty perfect to me.

Michael, Mr Rydell's notes came from St James's.

Better late than never.

Looks like he's not going anywhere soon.

Advanced alcoholic liver disease,

multiple admissions over the past year

for GI bleeds and liver failure.

He's been taken off the transplant list,

he refuses to stop drinking.

-Are there any relatives?

-The daughter. She's been called.

-No wife?

-My mother's dead.

I'm very sorry.

Don't be. He wasn't.

Maria, right?

Marie.

Are you OK?

He looks...different.

You've not seen him for a while then?

Four years.

Alcoholism goes hand in hand with malnutrition and self-neglect.

-He's very unwell.

-I was told he was dying, that's why I came.

His cirrhosis is permanent and advanced, there no possibility of reversal.

What does that mean? Today? Tomorrow?

Um, I couldn't say.

You can sit and talk with him if you like.

He might be able to hear you.

Might not like what I've got to say.

You better make a move.

I'm exhausted.

You must be too.

You're going to be OK, that's the main thing.

I'll see you in the morning.

Mr Thompson thought you might like this.

Oh!

There she is!

MONITORS BEEP

-Sarah?

-Simon! Get Mr Griffin! Now!

What's happening?

Sarah? Sarah?

Hey, where you going?

-I shouldn't have come.

-Wait.

-No point.

He's your father.

So?

So you are the next of kin.

He's dying and he needs you to stick around.

I needed him, he never cared then.

Wait, listen...

He really doesn't have much longer, Marie.

So you are going to need to face whatever this is

before it is too late.

It already is.

Then why did you come here?

-MONITOR BEEPS

-Flexing to pain.

One fixed pupil. GCS6.

BP 97 systolic. Pulse 100.

-She needs an a CT scan.

-What about the risk to the foetus?

My responsibility is to the mother. I'm prioritising the head injury.

-I'll call down.

-Can someone please tell me what's going on?

-We need to take a look at Sarah's injury.

-I'm not leaving her.

-It won't take long.

-Sarah, Sarah,

it's going to be fine. It's going to be OK, darling.

Mr Harpen.

You all right?

Yeah, why wouldn't I be?

I'd like to think we were friends.

So if there's anything I can do...

Actually, Chrissie, there is.

Why don't you keep your nose out my business

and get everybody off my back, yeah?

It's an extradural haematoma.

We need to get her into theatre.

I'll call neurosurgery.

Sorry, Mr Griffin, I couldn't keep her husband on the ward.

-He's outside.

-It's not good news.

The area has extended into a bleed,

which is putting pressure on the brain.

You can see it here.

Extradural haematoma post head injury.

Are you going to speak to Mr Harpen?

I need you to do that.

-But...

-Tell him Sarah's had a bleed to the brain

which requires immediate surgery.

-We'll update him as soon as we know more.

-OK.

Now, don't give him any false hope.

This could be extremely serious.

Thanks. We'll expect him in five.

Wouldn't it be better if I spoke to him?

She's formed a bond with the family. They trust her.

She's perfectly capable.

I hope you're right.

I couldn't breathe. Sorry, I had to get some air.

I understand.

What, that I'm a coward?

Course not.

I hate myself sometimes.

Come on. Let's get you back inside.

It's bad, isn't it?

Otherwise you'd have said something.

She's lost the baby, hasn't she?

No. No, it's not the baby.

Sarah's had a bleed in her brain.

But she's going to be OK though?

She needs some surgery to drain it.

But she's going to be all right?

Mr Griffin will explain.

That's not what I asked.

I can't say any more, I'm afraid.

So you know something but you're not saying,

-or you don't know anything, so you're not saying anything?

-Mr Griffin has got all the facts.

Is she going to die?

I asked you a simple question.

I'm sure she'll be fine.

Come on...

Let's go back inside.

KNOCK AT DOOR Come in!

Ah, I thought maybe we could do with a little family-bonding moment.

Unless you would prefer the lecture?

I'm just finishing my shift.

Come on, guys, look, we've had a rough couple of hours,

things got pretty snappy.

I thought maybe we could enjoy a midnight feast.

Sorry to be a killjoy, but we've got patients that are actually ill and dying.

Well, in the bad old days when I used to work night shift,

things were usually pretty quiet.

-If there's a problem they know where to find us.

-I've got dinner waiting for me at home.

Sacha will eat it! He's a double-dinner kind of guy. Please?

I'm missing my family.

Humour me.

I'm so sorry you have to see her in here,

we're still waiting for a bed in intensive care.

Before we go in, I should warn you,

that Sarah has had serious head surgery and...

it may look quite shocking.

There's no rush, James. You can do this in your own time.

No, I'm ready.

OK.

We did everything we could.

I don't understand.

The emergency CT scan

revealed that the small area that we saw on the MRI

had extended rapidly into a massive bleed.

The neurosurgeon did his best

to relieve the pressure on the brain, but...

But she's still breathing?

The machine is breathing for her.

I know this is extremely painful,

but there is no hope.

I'm so sorry...

But you said she'd be fine.

I don't understand.

I'm tempted to offer you some cake, but Charlie hasn't seen it yet.

What about you, Eddi?

Are you tempted to start a family in the not-too-distant future?

I'm not that big on family, thanks.

You might change your mind if you met the right bloke.

Maybe you already have.

What is this?

Come on, we're all friends.

Come on, you must know something. Is Luc coming back, or isn't he?

I kind of miss his bizarre charm.

I promise you it won't go outside this room.

Says Chrissie Williams, the soul of discretion.

OK, that's it. I'm going.

I've got a real family to go home to.

That went well.

Not exactly what I had in mind.

Ah, the victim of Elliot's irresistible charms returns.

I can see it, actually.

You're joking?

I like a man with a bit of beef. What's wrong with that?

I'm sorry about earlier.

You're here now. That's the main thing.

Thanks.

Barbara, this is not the end of the world, you can re-take.

-I'm not sure I want to.

-Why not?

When my mum died I used the money that she left me to train.

She always thought I could be a doctor, but...

I married young, had kids...

She never said anything, but I knew I'd let her down.

I was just trying to make her proud.

-And you will.

-I was the only one who failed.

I just don't understand it. What happened?

I don't know. When I get in exams I just freak out

and I panic, go blank.

We're using her like an incubator.

But if we could manage to maintain her for a couple of weeks...

And what's the likelihood of that?

We'd just be prolonging the grieving process.

Surely the baby deserves a chance.

Chantelle, there's nothing more for you to do here.

Please, I need to speak to him.

I don't think that's a good idea.

-But I didn't mean to...

-I'm sure you had the best of intentions,

but you can't just tell people what they want to hear.

We need him on-side with our informed clinical decisions.

Why don't you go back to Keller?

Mr Griffin, please!

Yeah, Sarah Harpen.

Just wondering if there's any news on a donor card? Cheers.

I'm looking for Mr Hope.

-And you are?

-Craig. Alcock.

Barbara's husband.

Down the corridor. Straight ahead.

Thanks.

The plot thickens.

Still eating?

My family's really important to me. I feel like I'm letting them down.

-No absolutely, I understand.

-I thought you'd gone.

-Mr Hope?

That's right.

This is Craig, my...

Husband.

Ah.

Look. I'll see you outside, yeah?

I just wanted to help you sort this out.

-I can handle it, thank you.

-Thing is,

Barbara always over-thinks things,

doesn't know what makes her happy so...

-Mr Hope doesn't need to hear this.

-No, it's fine.

She's not coping. She called me earlier on, in tears.

She's given it a go and it's not worked out. There's no shame in that.

I haven't decided anything yet.

Barbara is one of my best students. All she lacks is confidence.

You seem to be taking a very personal interest,

if you don't mind me saying.

It's pretty late, don't see any other students here.

Mr Hope, I'm so sorry about this.

Attractive woman. Separated, vulnerable.

-It's time to go!

-What are you really after?

I just want her to realise her potential.

I think I know what's best for my wife, OK? So just back off.

Craig.

I wish Mum was still here.

Just to get the satisfaction.

I watched her die,

the cancer eating her up,

and you never came. Not once.

I was 15 years old, how could you do that?

No. It's not that easy.

I haven't finished yet.

HE CHOKES

MONITORS BEEP

Help, Help me, someone!

Hey, buddy! Happy Birthday!

Hi, Daddy!

How are you? You look great!

Sorry, it's Mr Rydell...

-Perfect timing(!)

-I wouldn't have interrupted unless it was urgent.

Look, you can't give me five minutes?

-He might be dead in five minutes.

-All right, fine. Hey, hey, Charlie?

-Yes?

-I just need to do something, OK?

So just wait right there. Don't go anywhere, OK?

Where's Daddy?

Aren't you coming, Nurse Lane? I understand you were involved.

Coming where?

Mr Griffin's called an emergency MDT meeting to decide the way forward.

I wasn't invited, Mr Hanssen.

Must be an oversight on his part.

Those involved in the patient's care should attend the meeting.

I'll see you in there.

Well, you look like you're in need of some serious caffeine.

Thank you, Jac.

Didn't go too well then?

Your little marriage guidance session.

I saw them leaving.

I wouldn't care so much if she wasn't such a good doctor.

It's a terrible waste.

So what are you waiting for? Draw up a study schedule.

Set weekly hours of one-to-one private tuition,

which I know you'll enjoy, even if she doesn't.

In a couple of months she'll be back on track. Simple.

PAGER BEEPS

That's our therapy session over. Send me the cheque in the post.

Jac, as ever, you're a genius.

I know.

Come on!

Damn it! I can't get control of this bleed.

BP's dropping, 90/60.

There is one more thing we can try. Sengstaken tube insertion.

It might buy him 24 hours so he can speak to his daughter.

Haven't seen one of those for years.

Well, desperate times call for desperate measures.

Can you take a hold of that, please? Let's page the anaesthetist.

Let's get him intubated. Back in a few minutes.

-How is he?

-We're doing everything we can.

If he stopped drinking now, might it give him another chance?

Listen, your father was offered that chance,

a transplant, but he refused to stop drinking,

so he's been taken off the list.

So he chose to die.

Well, it's not that simple, alcoholism is a disease.

Do you have children?

Ah, yeah, but...

Bet they're the centre of your world.

Of course.

Will you excuse me for a moment?

As Ms Swain has just pointed out,

keeping Mrs Harpen on life support

would require the maintenance of a multi-disciplinary team.

It'd be a huge drain on equipment and resources,

we have to take that into consideration...

Sorry I'm late.

Chantelle. Welcome.

Come in, Nurse Lane.

So, Mr Griffin, your thoughts, please.

Sarah Harpen is my patient

and we are here to discuss her best interests.

As you know,

until a baby is delivered, it has no legal rights.

Therefore the debate whether to keep the mother alive as an incubator

is an ethical rather than a legal one.

Mr Thompson?

Well, at 25 weeks we would normally deliver the baby as a matter of course.

However, a foetus of this gestation, though viable,

is statistically at a high risk of respiratory complications,

mental retardation, even blindness.

And given the tragic circumstances of the mother's death,

I understand that it's not unlikely to have to been starved of oxygen?

The outcome is pretty bleak, yes.

But having said that,

if there was no oxygen deprivation

and we were able to keep the mother on life support

for a reasonable period of time,

then the baby would have a fighting chance.

My concern is that keeping Sarah alive gives her husband false hope,

when we can offer him no guarantee

of a reasonable - let alone a good - outcome.

There's no getting away from the fact

that this baby is at significant risk of major disability.

You've seen it before, Ric, we all have.

We need to think very carefully

whether it is right to prolong the father's distress like this

when the baby's death or severe physical or mental impairment

is statistically the most likely consequence of our intervention.

Much as I'd like to, I can't argue with the statistics.

I believe we should let nature take its course.

Allow this baby a gentle, comfortable death.

And Mr Harpen can grieve for his terrible loss.

Does anyone have anything to add?

Yes. I do.

I believe I got to know Sarah Harpen better than any of you.

So if no-one is going to stand up for what she would've wanted,

I will.

This baby was much longed for.

With Sarah's medical history, almost a miracle.

And we all witnessed her drive to protect her.

Her initial refusal of MRI proved that with every decision

she put her baby first.

Mr Griffin, you said that

if we were able to maintain Sarah on life support

then the baby might have a chance.

Sure there'd be a chance but, as Ms Campbell has pointed out,

extremely unlikely.

It is very unusual for anyone with brain stem death

to be maintained for longer than 48 hours.

A timeframe that would make no difference to the outcome for this baby.

found these online

and some of the mothers were kept alive for four weeks or more,

allowing their babies to develop almost to term.

These cases are extremely rare.

I understand that. But who's to say that Sarah can't be one of them?

It's a fair point.

What if the doctors had dismissed the potential of these babies

like you're doing now?

Well, Mr Griffin. Your patient, you have the final say.

Either way, you will have to obtain the husband's consent.

What a waste of a life.

People often keep doing things they shouldn't.

He has a daughter, that's something to live for.

You know, all that girl wanted was an OK Dad

and she got stuck with him.

OK, tube is ready to go.

They've decided to keep Sarah on life support

to give your baby the best possible chance.

What if I say no?

They can't do anything without your consent.

She's suffered enough.

Look at her. I should just let her go.

Bring this complete nightmare to an end.

What about your baby?

I don't care about the baby.

She's still a part of Sarah.

She's the reason I've lost her.

You can't think like that.

Can't I?

What gives you the right to tell me how to think?

Nothing. Sorry.

It doesn't make any sense.

She was fine this morning, and now...

Sarah said you had a name for the baby,

wanted to keep it a surprise.

Molly.

It was always Molly.

Hey, Annalese...

Whoa, take it easy. Hey, listen!

There was a guy dying, I work in a hospital,

I'm a doctor, what else am I supposed to do?

This is ridiculous! Just put Charlie on, all right?

Oh, really?

Or did you tell him that he doesn't want to talk to me?!

Look, Annalese, I said I'm sorry. No, no way...

He's just up there.

Because he's still my son too...

You OK?

Yeah, never better.

You don't look it.

You want me to spill my guts to satisfy your curiosity?

You're not the only person who needs their privacy respected.

Is she OK?

So far so good.

Hey, I thought you were jolly brave in that meeting in there.

Certainly gave Ms Campbell a run for her money, didn't you?

-Mr Thompson?

-Get Mr Griffin. Now, please.

I rang earlier about a donor card...

Mr Griffin! There's a problem!

Placental abruption. Must've been caused by the same fall.

Why wasn't this picked up earlier?

It's small now, it would've been virtually undetectable on the first scan,

but it's getting bigger, you see, there and there.

My concern is that the baby isn't being properly oxygenated.

Hey, it's not over yet.

He had the chance to live, right? Start again?

Yeah, in theory.

But he didn't take it.

So now I know he never loved me.

That's all I came here for.

Really not looking good, I'm afraid.

There must be something you can do, Mr Griffin.

The placenta is peeling away from the uterus wall

causing severe bleeding, there is no surgical solution.

We're running out of time.

Mr Harpen, your wife is suffering from a placental abruption,

which we cannot control.

We have a stark choice - to deliver the baby, or not.

I'm afraid, if we're talking statistics,

66% of all babies born at 25 weeks don't survive to leave the hospital.

-Which means 34% do.

-Chantelle.

MONITORS BEEP

She's tachycardic. BP dropping. Come on, Ric.

Mr Harpen, you have a very difficult choice.

Either we turn off the life support and let them both go,

or we attempt to deliver the baby.

Now, delivery does not guarantee survival

and even if the baby does survive,

there may well be serious health implications...

do you understand?

If this baby is to stand any chance we need to operate now.

Molly's already proved how tough she is to get this far.

I know it's hard, but think really carefully.

What would Sarah want you to do?

Operate.

Suction.

Fundal pressure, please.

Have you seen my jacket?

Thanks.

It's hard to move on without closure.

But I've got closure, that's the point.

I spent my whole life with this stupid fantasy

that maybe he did love me,

that he'd come back and make it all better.

The man in that bed...

he was never my dad.

Not really. Just worked and drank.

That was his life.

I wish I hated him,

that would be easier.

But I just feel...

nothing.

-He made some wrong choices.

-Choices have consequences. He made his.

I've made mine.

What about when it's over?

They won't just...?

They won't do anything without you being there.

Mr Harpen, your baby has something called

respiratory distress syndrome,

her lungs are very underdeveloped.

They're struggling to provide enough oxygen to the rest of the body.

But she's got a chance? You said it was the right thing.

She's very unwell.

In the specialist's opinion, she may only have hours to live.

I'm very sorry.

I should have never listened to you.

There's still a chance.

Don't say that! There isn't...

Is there?

You need to see her now.

What? And watch her struggling for every last breath?

I could've stopped her suffering.

You leave me alone.

Chantelle.

You have to understand,

we must never allow emotion

to influence our professional judgement.

-I had to do what I believed was right.

-By pressuring him into a decision he wouldn't have made?

You told me to stand up for myself, Mr Griffin.

To find my voice.

I know Sarah would've wanted Molly to have a chance.

And it's not over yet.

ICU have got a bed ready for Mr Rydell,

so I'll take him up.

Any sign of his daughter?

You just can't let that bedside reconciliation scene go,

can you, Michael?

That's me. Hollywood ending all the way.

I'll tell you what, I'll get you breakfast when you come back.

No, thanks. I'm going to go home.

Lucky you. Sacha's called in sick, so I've got to wait for cover.

Good luck. Then what?

On call all week, probably the weekend.

Go home, Michael.

I just told you...

No.

I mean, go HOME home.

Just replace "liver failure" with "stress-induced heart attract"

and that could be you.

And for what?

I mean, what's the point if no-one cares if you live or you die?

MONITOR ALARM BEEPS

Morning.

Hope you don't mind. I didn't know where else to go.

It's good to see you. Come in, come in.

It's obviously complicated.

I'm just trying to better myself, you know,

make the most of whatever talents my mother believed I had.

But what if Craig's right?

What if I am living my mother's dream and not mine?

You don't sound very sure.

I messed up, Mr Hope.

Who's to say that it's not going to happen again?

You know, Craig's doing well now, I'd be taken care of...

No stress, no pressure.

What's wrong with that?

Nothing. If that's what you want.

But I'm not convinced that it is.

What's this?

It's a study schedule that I am prepared to commit to,

if you are.

Together we could get you back on track within a few weeks.

I believe in your talent. Just as your mother did.

But you have a duty to serve that talent.

Not throw it away.

BEEPING SLOWS

MONITOR FLATLINES

James... please.

I asked you to leave me alone.

It's the baby.

Got yourself a very special young lady here, you know.

It was a bit touch and go at first,

but her breathing's much better,

the ventilator's doing less of the work now.

Looks like she's in for the long haul.

Thank you! Thank you so much.

So...

here she is.

Molly, meet Daddy.

-Daddy, meet Molly.

-She's so tiny.

You can touch her hand if you like.

I'm not sure.

She's tougher than she looks.

Sarah always knew this day would come,

she refused to give up hope.

All I'm saying is that the decision to let nature take its course

was the correct one statistically,

Yeah, perhaps. But what about morally?

Shouldn't medicine be about more than numbers?

Yes, but if we rely on fact, not emotion,

then we are statistically more likely to achieve the best outcome

for our patients.

What about hope against the odds?

Without that Molly didn't stand a chance.

Molly is a statistical anomaly.

You just made a very lucky call.

Actually, I think she owes you an apology...

As do I.

There's really no need.

I may not agree with everything that you did

but I gave you a challenge and you more than rose to it.

Thanks, Mr Griffin.

Yeah, that's right. Just the one seat.

No, it's OK. I'll pick it up at the airport.

Yeah, mm-hmm. Yes, I understand.

Mr Hope?

I'll see you at 3.00 for... complications of aortic stenosis.

Excellent. Look forward to it. Actually it's...

Professor Hope now.

You're sure you're not too grand to teach me now?

Absolutely.

Congratulations, Professor.

Thank you.

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