Original subtitles

I need someone in my life. I need a girl to hold me tight.

Someone to make me feel, make me feel alright.

Somebody help me, yeah.

Somebody help me now.

And won't somebody tell me what I've done wrong.

You forgot your pen when you were paying your bill. Oh, thanks.

I'm not usually this chaotic.

Nerves, I suppose.

They've all quite got my bearings, I'm afraid.

Well, you'll take the Ashfordly Road from here, then look for the Elstonby

and go along that road there to the seafront and turn right.

You can't miss it.

Thanks again.

You know, it's a great place you have here.

Hope I'll be dropping in again soon.

Well, we're always here.

Good luck.

Thanks. Bye.

You're welcome.

I'm in love with you now.

I'm telling you now.

I'll say what you wanna hear.

I'll be telling you for many a year.

I'm in love with you now.

Do you think I'm fooling when I say I love you? I love you.

Maybe you'll believe me when I'm finally through, through, through, through.

I'm telling you now. Excuse me.

Hello, excuse me.

Go on, I'm not deaf.

Where can I park?

Your patient or visitor?

Neither. Oh, I'm here for an interview.

Oh, well, I reckon you can park in one of the doctor's spaces over there.

Thanks. Must be mad to want to work here.

Good luck.

It might help to empty that occasionally.

I do.

I wait till after morning surgery. It doesn't need emptying so often. You see,

people... Good morning, good morning.

Oh, you're rather early, Mr Rose. I have a busy day.

Get them to jump to it, Matron.

Inform Staff Nurse Taylor that His Majesty's arrived.

Dr Romerov's his anaesthetist today, Lizzie. So put his lights up, please.

But Dr Romerov's not...

What?

Oh.

Yes.

Yes, indeedy. Well, that will have to come out.

Right away.

Good of you to join us, nurse.

Straight forward, gallbladder, wheel him in. I'll do him first.

There may be a slight problem, Mr. Rose.

Dr. Romerod's your anaesthetist today. He isn't answering his lights.

Why on earth not? Where is he?

Well, we're trying to find out.

You'll be aware of the urgency, Mr Rose. He is the patient's GP.

I have an outpatient in Ashfordly and hemorrhoids in Scarborough. I can't wait

all day for you lot to pull your finger out.

Don't scowl, sister.

Kills the germs.

Kills the germs!

Honestly, that man.

Your name's David Cheriton, you say? Yes, ma 'am.

No, I don't think so.

I assure you it is. I ought to know my own name.

No, I mean, I don't think you have an appointment. It's not in the book.

Dr. Orway wrote to me offering the interview.

Today, though, don't you?

Well, he hasn't confirmed it in the book. We have a system, you see.

You're not down with an appointment.

Well, can't you just let Dr. Orway know I'm here?

I have come all the way from London.

No.

Morning surgery's started.

I'm only allowed to interrupt if it's urgent. I don't want any flannel middle

ditch. I want an anaesthetist here and now.

Dr. Ormerod, any idea where he is this evening? I was told to put his lights

but there's no point. He's not back from his rounds yet.

This is ludicrous.

I'm kept waiting because he's pottering about on GP business.

Sort it out, men. Sort it out.

Can you track him down?

He's up on the moors. I phoned about ten minutes ago.

His wife wants the car to go shopping.

I've got the number here somewhere.

This gentleman says he's an appointment, Mr Middleditch. Oh?

In connection with... I'm sorry, T .J. Middleditch, hospital secretary.

How do you do? I'm here for an interview.

Oh, right, yes, indeed.

Can you just hang on a minute? Lizzie at the hospital again.

Is Dr Romerov still with you?

Yeah, but my wife's just about to... You're doing very well, Mrs Crack.

Now, don't push, all right? Just pass.

Doctor!

It's hospital again!

Right.

Look, just keep breathing deeply, all right?

I'll be back in a second.

Thank you.

Lizzie, if my wife's still on about the car, tell her you can't find me.

Oh, um... Well, no, no, no, I can't leave sharpish. I'm in the middle of a

sudden labour.

We'll ask Dr Alway to step in.

Bless you, Lizzie.

Thank you.

Midwife's on her way. You wouldn't make us all a nice cup of tea, would you, Mr

Craig?

She's doing fine.

You're doing fine, Jean!

Doctor, I've always seen a patient. Shall I interrupt him?

Yes, I think you better.

You see, all our doctors have their own general practice patients, apart from

their hospital duties.

Don't you have bleepers to contact them?

Pardon me?

Bleepers? Electronic communication devices?

Oh, good Lord, no.

No, this isn't London. Far too expensive.

Anyway, I doubt if they'd work around here with all these hills.

No, I'm afraid we're a little behind when it comes to newfangled gimmicks.

Well, come round, will you?

Are you getting anything?

Unless it's an interlude showing a snowstorm, no, we're not.

Definitely needs an outside aerial.

Hey, it's not a bad buzz, eh? Only cost me eight quid. You reckon old

Middleditch will cough up for it?

Well, it's just got for 20 quid from the League of Friends jumble sale. I mean,

the patients would love a chance to see a bit of telly.

Alan, patient in Milner Ward to go through.

Right.

Hey, you'll have your work cut out persuading him. Well, look, if he won't

play... I can always go see old Doc Alway. I can always win him round.

Dr. Alway? Yes?

Mr. Rose told me to remind you he's been ready for some time.

For goodness sake, I've been writing up the pre -meds.

Alan's taking the patient through now.

Tell His Majesty two minutes.

He's the reason we're all here.

Sorry?

My grandfather, who endowed the place.

Royal, on account of him having persuaded the Duke of Clarence to open

and free on account of him having made a fortune at mining Winston.

He wanted to put something back into the community.

Ah, James!

Yes? Uh, James, this is... Oh, I'm sorry, what was the name again? David

Cheriton. David Cheriton, Dr. Alway. Oh, I'm pleased to... Oh, Cheriton!

Of course, I'm so sorry, I'm a bit up to my eyes. You've come to have a chat

about joining the practice.

I'm here for an interview, yes.

Yes, yes, well, I'm afraid we're all rather, um...

My colleagues, the other two doctors in the practice, they're out on call, and

I'm just standing in for one of them at an op. Why don't you come and observe?

What a good idea.

Mr. Rose is our distinguished visiting surgeon.

He popped over from Ackfordly once a week or so.

Slowly count to five.

One. One.

Two.

Two.

Three.

Three.

Four.

Do hurry up. Let's have him in.

He's only just been induced.

Oh, if it's all right, Dr. Cheriton is here to observe.

As long as he doesn't waste my time asking damn fool questions.

Right, there we are. Let's get him settled.

You all right, Doctor?

Fine, fine.

Turn the halothin down to a point fire.

Is he ready?

Scalpel?

Pre -concision, just below the diaphragm.

Thank you. And clip.

Doctor, all the way.

Are you okay?

I'm fine. I'm under way. Take him out.

Not you, Doctor. You'll have to take over on the anesthetics.

Me? But don't butt me, man. I can't have the patient coming round mid -op. The

shock could kill him.

Tell Mr.

Bridget to organize a bed and an intravenous infusion.

I want him examined at once.

Who's available?

Dr. Omron's still out on call. Dr. Wetherill's just got back.

Put her lights up, for goodness sake.

That young man will be able to cope in the dinner.

He'll just have to, won't he?

Awkward little blighter.

Damned adhesions everywhere.

I need another 15 minutes at least.

I'll be

back

as soon as I can.

How is he?

We have everything under control.

Dr. Weatherill's with him now.

The intravenous drip's on its way, Doctor.

I must get back to the patient.

James, you're not going anywhere. Lie down.

Jill, what's happened?

You've given us all a bit of a shock. That's what's happened.

It's your duodenal ulcer.

The hemorrhage. Oh, I'm fine. I'm right as rain. Don't be absurd.

You must have lost a lot of blood, Doctor. Now, keep still.

Blessed to have your arm.

Watch the milk and alkaline drip down your nose. That'll get you quiet.

That's it. All ship -shape and Bristol fashion.

Good job you seem to know your way around the old laughing gas.

Took a diploma in anaesthetics after my houseman year, while I was a guy.

Why on earth join a godforsaken outpost like this, good anaesthetist to thin on

the ground?

I like patient contact.

I've had a cottage hospital, might be the best of both worlds.

My own GP patients, plus some operating theatre sessions.

Young chap like you ought to have more ambition.

Never make a name for yourself in a backwater like this.

14

-inch

screen, walnut veneer surround, gets both channels.

Ken, I have already told you, a television set for the patients will

problems. No, no, I've asked them. I mean, they'd love a telly, eh? Well, of

course they will. They'll squabble over it.

For a start, will it go in Milne Award or Fawcett?

Well, it could take it in turns. The men could have it on a Saturday for the

sports and the women could have it on another day.

And who decides whether to watch the BBC or the... Oh, God, what do they call

it? The commercial station.

Well, they can put that to the vote.

No, I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, Ken. It's the right of it for Discord.

Ah, well, perhaps we could ask Doc Alway what he thinks.

Doc Alway is very poorly. Now is not the moment.

Oh, poor soul.

It was only yesterday we were at the League of Friends jumble sale calling

the bingo.

Well, he drives himself too hard, that's the problem.

All his spare time is devoted to the hospital.

He was saying he hoped some of the cash raised could go to cheering up the

wards. I mean, happy patients get better quicker, so he reckons. And a

television set is a prescription for happiness, isn't it?

It'd be a shame to miss the opportunity.

How much?

Well, as I say, it's in good nick and I had to haggle as it is. And then, of

course, the cost of it transporting all... How much?

How does £8 .10 sound?

£8?

And that's to install the set in working order, yes?

Ah, no. Well, I may need, say, another 30, Bob, to buy and install an aerial.

In other words, £10.

One low -key bear that's got a lot to answer for.

There we are.

Very lucky you were on hand.

Well, a mid -ladder who seems to have survived.

Have sister keep him on fluids only for 24 hours, then a low -fat diet once his

bowel sounds return.

I've postponed the rest of Mr. Rose's list until next week.

No further theatre duties today, nurse. You're free to get back to casualty.

Think about what I said.

Always on the lookout for promising young chaps at Ashfordly.

You are honoured.

Doesn't take to everybody.

Where's Dr. Alway?

That's him.

Oh, all right.

He's nodded off.

Good thing the rest is what he needs.

So you were with him when it happened?

Yes. It needn't be too serious.

Duodenal ulcers are treatable nowadays, even after a hemorrhage.

Really? Oh, yes, I assure you.

There's really nothing for you to worry about. My pretty little head about,

right?

Well, it's always an anxious time when friends or loved ones are taken ill.

Indeed, indeed. But just in case, I have had his blood cross -matched.

I've put him on an intravenous regime, strict gastric diet and minimum seven

days bed rest to be reviewed.

I'm so sorry. I thought that... Yeah, I'm Dr Weatherill.

David Cheriton, I presume?

Yes, that's right.

Right, well, we'll be meeting later to discuss the vacant post.

Ah, you've met Dr Wetherill, I see.

No one told me she was a woman.

Well, don't let that put you off.

She's really rather good.

Sorry I'm late.

I had a sudden labour. Next week, I'd appreciate an anaesthetist on standby in

theatre at 0900.

Sharp.

Gave his name as Cheriton, but he's not down in my book officially.

Well, never mind, is he? Sounds like he saved the day.

Messages for you. It's been like a madhouse this morning.

Where are they?

How's Dr. Alway?

Having a sleep.

Here we are.

May I transpose the bone the rest of Mr. Rose's operation?

Your wife calls, says if the car key's out in reception when she gets here,

she's filing for divorce.

Well, that'll be the third time this week.

And Dr. Weatherill wants to see you.

Pulse is down.

Blood pressure's OK.

Seems like the ulcer's stopped bleeding. He needs complete bed rest and very

long recuperation.

Well, that makes a new appointment even more urgent, then.

Well, more important, certainly.

Look, James was planning to bow out gradually, wasn't he? But he's unlikely

return at all now. I think it's absolutely vital that we find the right

as his replacement.

Well, this Cheriton bloke seems to have kept a cool head this morning, by all

accounts. Yeah, but there's others who've applied. Look, there's Bannon

Edinburgh. There's Mary Gullick from Manchester.

We need another anaesthetist. Bannon isn't qualified in that area.

No, but Mary is.

Look, I know she's a friend of yours, but Dr Gullick can't join us for another

two months, can she?

She is very, very committed.

Come on, women doctors have such a tough time. We'd be helping her and ourselves

if we just waited.

We need someone quickly, Jill.

We can get a locum to fill in till we make a permanent appointment.

Well, why wait if we've got the right man here and now?

Well, leave the man all right here.

Drop me the...

Typical public school male.

And I bet he plays rugby as well.

Sorry, but Mrs Rutherford, patient of Dr Alway, has telephoned. Her daughter's

got terrible tummy pain. I thought it best not to tell her about Dr Alway.

Well, I've got a ward round now.

Look, we've got a lot on Lizzie. Can't the mother bring her in? Well, she

sounded very worried. And her husband's out with the car.

Right.

I can't interest you in buying a brand new colour set then, my friend.

All the rage. These are now, you know. No, no, no. I've already got a telly.

Thanks very much. It's the aerial I'm after.

Oh, very wise.

TVs don't work without an aerial, old chum.

Now, let's see.

Here we are. The latest aerial comes in at £3 .19.

Nearly four quid. That's a bit steep, isn't it? I mean, it is for the patients

at the cottage hospital. Oh, business is business, Squire.

Well, what if I pick one up second -hand? How much would you charge to

it? Well, now, that's different, Squire. I mean, you didn't buy the set here.

You haven't purchased the aerial from us.

You can hardly expect a discount.

I mean, there's the call -out of a van with ladders, trained engineer, labour.

No, you're looking at 50 bob minimum.

You're joking.

Erecting a television aerial's a very skilled task.

No, that's the best I can do, my friend.

Right, well, no higher, squire.

Shove it, matey. Chum. Oh, ow.

Yes. I'm Dr Wetherill, a partner in Dr Always Rapid.

Oh, I see.

Oh, you've had to come in.

I have to go to work.

I have to.

I don't try myself, you see.

Sally, the doctor's here to see you.

Hello there, Sally. How are you feeling?

Not too good.

You've got a little tummy ache.

Yeah.

You've been vomiting, have you?

Yeah.

When did you first start getting these pains?

In the middle of the night.

And could you show me where it hurts, do you think?

What's up, mate?

You're here.

Right.

Let's pop this up for you.

There.

How about that?

Ah, no, please!

There's no particular reason you want to believe the big 50.

Because of the back of the arm.

Swinging London isn't always cracked up to be, you know.

You've known special ties there, then.

Sure, it'll be the country air in a nice bit of peace and quiet you're after,

isn't that right, Doctor?

Absolutely.

Ah, Dr Cheriton, there you are.

Um, Dr Ormerod would like a word. His consulting room's down the corridor, on

the left. Right, thank you.

Good luck.

Shouldn't you be in casualty, nurse?

Oh, it was very quiet.

I left Nurse Hopkirk in charge while I took my break.

Well, don't be long. She's still very inexperienced.

Something tells me you'd not be against that young fella getting the job.

Well, it'd be nice to have a new face round here. A new man face, you mean?

Yeah. But knowing Dr Jill, she'll hold out for some female colleague.

I'd like to get her into hospital as soon as possible. What is it? What's

Well, I need a closer examination, but I think that she may have a cyst on her

ovary which has twisted.

Oh, no.

It's not that uncommon, really. If we operate quickly enough, she should be

fine. Do you have a telephone I could use?

Yeah, of course.

Downstairs in the hall. Thank you.

Thanks for stepping in this morning, Dr Cheriton.

You cope very well.

Please, if I could help out.

What do you make of what you've seen so far?

Well, it's fairly different from a London teaching hospital.

Yeah. Well, the thing about a cottage hospital such as ours is that, well, we

GPs get to treat our own patients during their stay in hospital.

Another advantage is that we have close contact with their families as well.

What happens with specialist treatment? A brain tumour thing?

Referred to Ashfordly or Scarborough.

Although they get to return here to recuperate with us, you know, under

own GPs.

Look, it may be worth mentioning, David, that...

In a rural area such as this, a doctor's work calls for personal skills, as well

as medical ones.

It's how you relate to people, really.

One's manner.

That's important.

I'm afraid it doesn't suit everybody.

I realise I may have got off on the wrong foot with Dr Weatherall.

Excuse me.

Omrod. Yes, Lizzie.

Yes, put her through.

Gordon, look, I've got a young girl here who may have a torsion of an ovarian

cyst. She's shocked and she's in quite a lot of pain.

Well, get her in here right away.

Yeah, ambulance is on its way. Look, I'd like Rose to have a look at her, if

possible. No, I'm afraid he left a while back.

Look, can't you get her into Ashfordly?

No, no, that's too risky.

We're going to have to move quickly on this one. Listen, can you get Nurse

Taylor to prepare the operating theatre for me?

from me cousin's builder's yard, and all we've got to do is take it up. It's a

bit rickety. Sure it'll work.

Oh, aye, it works all right, eh?

Only came down because the house was getting demolished.

By the way, um, are you busy later on?

I suppose I know why.

Oh, well, you could do your good deed for the day.

Sally?

Dad? Are you all right?

What's going on?

Tom, the doctor says that Pally needs... Where is he? Where is Alway? He's

indisposed, I'm afraid. I'm one of his colleagues. I'm Dr Weatherill. Oh, are

you?

What's wrong with my daughter? She was fine last night.

Well, I think she may have a cyst on her ovary. We need to get her to hospital

for an exploratory operation.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold up. You think she has a cyst?

And who exactly is going to be doing this operation?

Well, Mr Rose from Ashfordly General, but if he's not available, then me,

probably. Oh, no.

I'm not having my daughter cut open by some slip of a latch. John!

Mr Ruther, Sally really is in an acute condition.

Acute? What are you talking about?

Sally?

Dad? I'm here so much.

It's all right, love.

Don't worry.

But if she needs an operation, I want a proper surgeon.

Okay, I'll ride with her.

Probably me off with some jumped -up woman GP.

It's a good thing I got here.

Did you manage to get on the road?

Matron's still trying.

I'm Dr.

Allroyd. Mr. Risengrasser. Well, perhaps I can get some sense out of you. How

come Dr. Allroyd couldn't come out to see her himself?

Well, I'm afraid he's unwell. Just leave her to us.

I would like a second opinion, if it will work, right?

Second opinion? You see, she's no idea what she's doing.

It's all right, Sally. We'll take long.

Perfectly, please, now.

Can you see if Nathan's managed to get hold of Rose yet?

All right.

Can you just turn on your side, please?

Yes, I'm sure Mr Rose has gone to lunch. It is lunchtime, after all.

The question I asked you is, where is he?

Well, where does he usually have his lunch?

Then please find out and phone me back. This is an emergency.

That lot. They couldn't run a bath, never mind a hospital.

John Rutter is a difficult man.

He could make trouble for us.

That, if I may say so, is entirely irrelevant.

It's his daughter's well -being we're concerned with here.

You all right?

Yeah, it's my leg.

Don't worry, I'll get you out, mate.

No, my leg's the trap.

Right.

Don't worry, I'm going to go and get some help.

Panda wants a control. Are you receiving?

Over.

Panda wants a control. Are you receiving?

Over.

Can you hear me, Al?

All right, lady.

Don't worry, she'll have a nice clear picture for you.

Right, please back to the side of the chimney and run the cable down the side.

Easy peasy. You should get a proper bloke in.

Alan, lad, I've told you, I can't afford to.

How much did Middleditch give you?

Oh, barely enough to cover the cost of the set.

You sure?

All right, I got the aerial on the cheap. So there's a bit left over for

beer fund. All right, I will buy you a couple of pints. Now, please, just get

there. Right, I'll fix this chimney, but if I'm needed, you'll have to sort out

cable yourself.

This is all I'm saying.

I still can't find Mr. Rose.

You're right.

We must operate as immediately.

Come along, then. Get the theatre prepared for her.

What's going on?

Oh, we're going ahead.

We must operate quickly, Mr. Rutter.

Are you sure about this? There's no question.

You're going to have to sign a consent form.

Have you done many operations like this before?

Well, I won't be operating.

Dr Wetherill here is our gynaecologist.

Oh, no.

Absolutely not.

I want a man.

A proper surgeon.

Don't be ridiculous.

Dr Wetherill is a proper surgeon.

Your daughter couldn't be in safer hands.

Mr Rose is the expert. I want to wait for him. John, please.

Miss LaRotta, if we don't operate now, your daughter may lose her ovary.

She may even die.

All right if I... Sure.

I've written your details into the appointments book now. Your meeting's

official. Tony, they never seem to be available to hold a meeting.

We're very busy.

Patients are our priority.

That's what Dr. Alway always says.

The patient himself now.

Funny that.

She'll be very weak post -op, so she'll need to be specialed on 24 -hour orbs.

I'll make sure that Sister Bridget has a bed prepared.

Lizzie, I'm going to need a hand, please. I think he was with Ken doing

something. Oh, for goodness sake, Lizzie, go and find him. This is an

St Aidan's Royal.

Look, I'm sorry about this, David. It's one of those days, I'm afraid.

No, that's fine. Shall I hang on, or...? Excuse me, Dr. Omerod. I have to go and

find Alan.

Constable Bellamy, Ashfordly Police.

Accident on the moors. Driver's hurt.

OK.

Hello. This is Omerod.

I've got a lorry driver. He's trapped in the cab.

Now, I've called an ambulance and the fire brigade.

Well, how is the injured man?

Well, he's in a lot of pain.

His legs are trapped.

They could be broken.

Well, how lucid is he?

Well, he's very chappy.

Look, you're nearer than Ashfordly.

Shall I turn him to you?

Well, just one moment, please, Constable.

I know this is most irregular, but you couldn't help us out again, could you,

David? I'd be more than happy to. What's the problem?

We may have a broken leg coming in before we're finished in theatre.

Fine. I can deal with that.

Marvellous. Yes, get him in here.

Stay with him, all right, and call us if he loses consciousness.

And on no account let him have any fluids.

Right. I will do. Thank you.

This chimney's stuck in poor shape. It needs repointing. I know. I've been on

Middleditch about it loads of times.

What on earth are you doing up there?

You're needed in the theatre. Now.

Nearly finished, Maiden.

It's not my job to chase up junior staff.

I said now, and I mean now.

I'm poor. Has she got any water?

I'm sorry.

The doctor didn't advise it.

What about with something a bit stronger?

Let's not risk drinking when I'm still behind the wheel, eh?

Not you being a copper.

Don't you take it easy now, all right?

Hey.

We'll soon have you out of there.

Right, love, it'll be over before you know it.

Do you think we can't?

So quick.

Last night she was laughing, she was chatting.

Come on, John, let's just leave them two at night. Indeed.

Why don't we go and have a cup of tea in my office?

You want a job doing, Ken?

Do it yourself.

Anything else?

Is there anywhere to operate or do we have to reset it, Rachel?

We've this little emergency theatre.

I think complicated operations are always done in the main theatre.

Which is tied up.

I hope he doesn't need anything too elaborate.

OK.

Thanks.

Now, Colin, all this metal that's trapped on your legs, they're going to

get that off you and get you to the hospital.

You all right?

He's fighting.

I can barely feel his pulse. And it's raking.

It's going to take some time there.

Would you want me to call the hospital?

Yeah, and we'll need a doctor.

Doctor Webberall is very experienced.

She wouldn't operate if you weren't sure.

Excuse me, Mr Middleditch. The policeman's on the phone, wants a

I'm not sure what to do.

What exactly is the problem, Lizzie?

The lad in the accident's turned poorly. They need a doctor out there.

I'll be back in one moment.

Bryce, let's have him on the table, shall we?

All right.

And lift.

No one's available.

Getting a doctor from outside the area will take time.

Would you like me to attend?

I'd be happy to do what I could.

Bye, Joe.

Look, I realise it's a lot to ask. Not at all. I haven't got my doctor's back.

We'll borrow Dr Wetheram's.

I'm sure she won't mind.

The policeman said he was poor. Did he clarify that at all?

Not really.

Is he bleeding blood?

Has he got any head in him?

We just said he fainted.

What about the ambulance then? Can I talk to one of them?

You were calling from a phone box. They haven't got the number.

Besides, they only have a limited training in first aid.

At the roundabout, take the Apsfordly Road. It's about ten miles from here.

Right, thanks.

I'm on my own Just on the road I'll tell you when

You don't want to go I'll walk around Beyond the

ground

It's

in the wrong place.

I don't care what you say. You should have insisted they took her to

Sally wasn't up to the journey.

Rubbish. I reckon that woman is just trying to make her mark as a surgeon,

practising on my daughter. Right, that's enough.

Enough.

Look, we should be grateful to these people.

When this old world starts getting me down and people are just too much

for me to face.

She's standing up.

Right, I'm going to make an exploratory laparotomy. Alan, light it.

It's got to be.

Oh, no.

Oh, no.

What on earth is going on?

OK,

we need to prepare a casualty theatre. I can operate from there. All right.

I'll make sure the corridor's clear.

She's stable.

Meryl, can you get some fresh sterile caps? We're going to need to regale

Can you get some fresh gowns? Yes, I'll... Is everyone OK?

Are you responsible for this? No, he's not entirely.

I've been asking the district treasurer to fund roof repairs for months.

He's fainted again. What's his name?

Colin. Colin Pike.

Hello, Colin. Can you hear me?

I'm sweating, but he's cold.

Pulse as well. Blood pressure's way down.

He was fine. He was cracking jokes and then he just kept drifting to sleep.

He's in severe surgical shock.

How long to get him out? Half hour, apparently.

He may be bleeding internally.

The inner wheel might have ruptured his spleen.

What infusions have you got?

Plasma, staining, glucose. What do you carry?

A wheel and a jack and that's about it, I'm afraid.

What? We're equipped to get patients to hospital as fast as possible. We're not

here to mess about with them. Would you want me to fetch something for you?

20 minutes to the hospital, 20 minutes back, say, 45 minutes. We'll be on our

way by then.

It's all right, Colin. We'll get you out.

Don't worry.

What on earth was that crash?

Is everything all right?

Yes, yes, yes, yes. There's nothing to worry about. Just a few loose plates,

that's all.

It sounded more like the roof coming in.

How is she?

Well, they're operating now. We'll soon know.

You'd better wait in my office. Now, look... John, come on.

Let's leave him to it.

You knew that chimney was in poor condition. What the devil were you

Just the middle bit. It was an accident. I'm sorry. If the district secretary

discovers that the operating theatre is out of action, he'll close us down.

Look, my cousin's a builder. Now, I'll get him round to patch it up again.

You'd better had.

Right, nearly there.

Hurry up, we're losing him.

Get the door.

Right, I've un -twisted the thing.

Two clamps for the pedicle, please.

If we can remove this quickly, there's a good chance we can save the ovary

before the rest of the hospital collapses.

That's good, Glyde.

All right, just lay him down here.

Colin, can you hear me?

Damn it.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,

13, 14, 15.

Looks benign.

Right, send that to histology.

I think we've got to enter.

Right, ligatures, please. Let's get this tied off.

Come on, Colin, come on!

Two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve,

fourteen, fifteen.

Sally, my darling.

Well?

She'll need several days' complete rest.

She's on quarter -hourly obs until ward round tomorrow noon.

She will be all right, though, won't she?

Well, the swelling's subsided and the blood flow's restored. She's making an

excellent recovery.

Thank you, Doctor.

We're so grateful.

She's in safe hands, Mrs. Rutter.

We'll soon have her home.

Thank you.

You did a good job.

Listen, I'm sorry if I... My only daughter.

No, I do understand.

We'll call back to Theo in the morning.

Come on, John.

Well done, John.

What, for the op, or for getting an apology out of Rotter?

Well, it's been a long day.

And we still have one outstanding matter to deal with.

Gerritsen.

Don't be too hard on him. He's had a tough time out of that accident, I

Well, it's a tough job as a political.

We heard. I'm sorry.

Dr. Omrod said they'll be in the secretary's office.

Poor man.

He looks really upset.

Yeah, and he's sad.

If only I could have used someone like him around here.

Are they going to offer him the job?

Word is Dr Jill's put her foot down.

I'm sorry, but could you write up your notes before you leave?

We'll need them prior to the post -mortem.

It's going to be tricky.

Oh?

Why?

Or should I put down ruptured spleen or sheer incompetence? No.

You mustn't blame yourself.

I couldn't have done any more than you did. I could with the right equipment.

You had my GP's bag, didn't you?

I needed an intravenous infusion set.

A supply of fluids, plasma, basic stuff to stand any chance at all.

But we have all that in casualty, Doctor.

There's no time use when you have emergencies and are at most spots miles

from anywhere.

Time is so vital with these injuries.

In places like this, if a doctor's called out, he should routinely carry

kit. A portable kit?

Oh, my dear fellow.

The district treasurer wouldn't even consider it. Have you any idea what that

would cost?

Yes, about 200 pounds.

What price would your treasurer put on Colin Pike's young life?

Wasn't he worth a louty 200 quid?

If you'll excuse me, I've got a long drive home.

I didn't like to let you down.

We'll do the best we can.

It'll be in the way there, Alan. Can we move a further back against the wall?

Television in the ward, whatever next?

I can think of a few things you need more urgently around here.

I, um...

I really am sorry about what happened at the accident.

Well, we don't live in a perfect world, I'm afraid.

So it seems.

Middleditch does have a lot to contend with, you know.

A district treasurer with a very bad case of beetle mentality when it comes

cottage hospitals.

Beetle mentality?

A beetle has six legs.

So you take one off for economy.

Then, because it doesn't walk straight, you remove another one.

You know.

Just to even things up.

Well, now, of course, it walks too slowly.

So you say, well, it doesn't work.

Might as well kill it off.

That applies here.

The treasurer thinks we're a drain on resources.

He'd like our money for Ashfordly General.

So he starves us of funds and then says we don't work.

Chops your legs off, closes you down.

Shame. Hospitals like this are needed.

Oh, we'll fight him to the end.

I hope you're going to be part of that fight.

I sense you'd enjoy it.

Thank you.

But I don't think your colleagues share your view.

Um, excuse me.

We've been having a chat.

That was pretty hard -hitting stuff in there.

Don't worry, I'm on my way. Just saying goodbye. Well, we've got something to

say too, actually.

We were very impressed by your passion.

and by your ideas, and by your work today.

And we'd very much like to offer you a place in the partnership.

Absolutely.

Starting ASAP, I suggest.

Well, that is if you still want the job.

Yes.

I'd like it very much.

Thank you.

Thank you.

That's a very good reception you have there, Alan. We have Ken to thank for

that, sister.

He's working, Dad. He's fine.

Really fine.

Oh, I am, please.

Hey, Lizzie, will you do me a favour, love? Yeah?

Will you have a look in TV times and tell me what time the epilogue finishes?

I'm loving a cloud so dark up above and the

sun's in my heart and I'm beautiful now. Patient collapsed with a tropical

fever or something.

Apparently he's just returned from the West Indies. Is he conscious?

Yes, he is.

Yeah. I hope I'm not nailed by a mouse and all because the food on the plane

diabolical. It was even worse on the train because of the one tiny.