(* Rock music on car radio)
(* EastEnders theme)
Hello?
Queens Casualty. Sister speaking.
Look, I'm sorry to bother you,
but I think my baby might have swallowed some, erm...temazepam.
How many tablets were there?
I don't know. They're my husband's.
I'm almost certain they were empty because he'd not leave them behind.
It's important you bring the baby in. Can you make your own way?
- Yeah, I'll get there all right. - Do you want to call an ambulance?
He's fine, really. It's me that's worrying.
- Are you sure now? - Yes. I'll be all right.
I think it's better if you... Hello? Hello?
(Cries)
(Glass breaking, shouting)
- We're the Stags! - Yeah! Yeah! And don't you forget it!
Whoo!
Done it! Go, go, go!
(* Rock music on radio)
(They sing along)
(Brakes screech)
- Oh! - Aagh!
(Siren wails)
Come on.
- Come on! - No!
Come on.
''Yes, but we're not on the phone.''
(Laughter)
I'm not after the sandwiches.
- How are you? - Fine, thank you.
- Evening. - Evening.
- Hello. You did say red? - Thanks.
- You two know each other? - No.
Elizabeth Straker, Ewart Plimmer.
She's new Unit General Manager at Holby City.
- So you're the reason for the party? - So I believe.
We don't usually have booze after a DHA meeting.
- You do quite well at the Crown & Kettle. - Thank you, Ewart.
- The permanent nightshift man? - PNS.
- Was...till they closed it. - I heard.
So how do you keep busy?
We're still open 9-5, so I'm just your run-of-the-mill casualty consultant.
Note the edge. Can't bear to be conventional.
I read your article in the Lancet.
- Did you agree with it? - No.
Liz, I want you to meet your counterpart at Queens.
Excuse me.
(Siren wails)
If I get another Joe tonight, I'm going to become a vigilante.
Calm down.
Some divot thinks it's funny making hoax calls
and then chucks bricks through windows.
There they are.
- (Baby crying) - Oh, come on.
- You want a lift? - Going to the hospital.
- What you done? - It's the baby.
I'd get a flaming taxi.
You bastard!
Pig.
(Scanner) Control to all units.
Reference to RTA at Trowter Road, there is heavy traffic build-up...
Driver did a runner. We were chasing him.
- Any ID? - Steven Barker. He's 40.
Cheers.
- What's your name? - It's Steven Barker.
- Steven? Can you hear me? - Do you need a collar?
Yeah. Get a collar, frac pack and a scoop. Hold his head there.
I'm trying to run a hospital
that's coping with Holby's night-time casualties plus our own.
When will Holby deal with its own casualties?
Hold on. Holby closed the permanent night shift
because we're expanding St Stephen's.
You still haven't started construction.
We've got drawings, an agreed tender.
A tender doesn't guarantee building works.
- That's what we're looking into. - Fine.
Meanwhile, what about the Friday and Saturday night crush at Queens?
You should never have closed the Holby night shift.
I've admitted three people from the Holby area
and I've got coronary waiting for a porter to take him to CCU,
so don't tell me to keep my hair on!
Where do I go for Queens? Queens Hospital?
All right, Steven. I'm just going to move you.
Out of the way!
All right? We're taking you into the ambulance now.
(Chatter)
- Mr Plimmer? - Yup.
Paul Marshal, Unit General Manager at Queens.
- Were you serious just then? - About the night shift? Yeah.
Good. I've persuaded your chairman
to debate reopening it at the next DHA meeting.
- Was Elizabeth Straker there? - No. Why?
Nothing.
St Stephen's and Moorshead are on red alert.
- Where do they want us to take him? - Queens.
That's 30 minutes away. What's the matter with them?
3003. Look, this bloke's in a bad way.
You'll have to take him to Queens. Out.
Can't they shift somebody?
(Sobbing)
Oh, God... Oh, God!
Paul, I hear rumours.
(Baby crying)
- Help me, please. - Now take it easy.
I had to change buses.
It's all right. He'll be OK.
Staff, get this lady a cup of tea.
- (Tannoy) Control to Casualty. - I've got it.
Wait here. I'll bring you a cup of tea.
He's going to be all right, isn't he?
3003 to Control.
One male patient aged about 40. Head injuries.
He's still awake, but spinal and cervical injuries.
ETA...
15 minutes.
You're talking about 200,000 a year to run a permanent night shift.
Add ancillary back-up, cost of an observation ward, incidentals.
- It's crazy. - I agree.
Multiple injuries. Respiratory distress.
(Sister) Resus.
Roger?
Only one casualty department in the Holby area is open at night, Moorshead,
and they cannot cope with the number of patients.
Meanwhile, my department's taking emergencies in the day
and doing sod all at night. We're murdering people.
That's it.
- Cup of tea. - Drink some of that.
Your baby's going to be all right.
Joyce, he's going to be just fine.
- What's up with her? - Had a bad time getting her baby here.
She didn't want to bother us with 999.
- How is the baby? - We're keeping him in Paediatrics.
He's poorly, but he'll survive.
It's her I'm worried about. She should go home. She's totally exhausted.
- Where does she live, Kath? - Guess?
- Oh, no. - Correct.
Holby.
- I'll take her home. - Thanks.
How's the biker?
Didn't they tell you? Died about five minutes ago. Sorry.
You phoned me. I'm Bill Barker - Steven Barker's father.
Bloke on a bike. They said he'd been brought here.
Would you follow me, Mr Barker?
- How is he? - Come this way, Mr Barker.
(Andy) If Holby City night shift was open, that biker might have lived.
We did our best.
- It wasn't good enough though... - Andy!
All right. I'm sorry.
It wasn't our fault, I know.
Tell his father that when he's called to identify the body.
So the world's a dangerous place. What's new?
Honestly.
I'm sorry.
(Tannoy) 3004. Emergency RTA.
Junction of Stepney Avenue and Domney Street to the east.
What are you doing before tonight's shift?
Sleep.
- I mean after. - Andy!
Look, I'm not asking to come up or anything,
I just thought we might go for a meal or something, or whatever.
(Radio ) Let's rise and shine. It's 7:25 on Holby Radio.
For all you early birds taking us up to the 7:30 news,
let's snap, crackle and pop with Spandau Ballet.
(* Fight For Ourselves)
(Radio off)
- I should not be doing this. - Deep breaths.
I should definitely not be doing this.
- Go for it, killer. - Ha ha.
- Morning. - Ewart.
- Hello. Listen, are you two free tonight? - What's up?
There's a chance we might get the night shift back. I'm optimistic.
- Lisa Duffin! - That's me. I gotta go.
Could you sort it out with Susie?
- Good luck. - Thanks. Oh, thank you, Ewart.
(Knocks)
Baz?
Come on. We can't go on meeting like this.
Baz?
(Knocks)
I feel ready for the extra responsibility.
- Did you work with Mr Plimmer? - Yes. On the night shift.
Tell me, how would you see your role changing
from Junior Staff Nurse to more of a decision maker?
I feel very confident in my work.
And if an inexperienced doctor were treating a patient wrongly,
what would you do?
I'd tell him...or her.
Sorry. You all right?
- You didn't see a GTI driving off? - Not this morning. I haven't, no.
Could you cope with that change in relationship to other colleagues?
It's just a question of how you handle it.
I don't want to be everybody's buddy or anything,
I just don't think it's necessary to patronise people.
If you talk straight, they understand.
- An optimistic outlook. - I'm an optimistic person.
(Phone rings)
- Yeah? - Hello. It's Anita. Is Baz there?
- No, she isn't. - Do you know when she'll be in?
- No, I don't know. - Thanks a lot(!)
And you.
Very funny.
We've got two more candidates to see.
Would you wait outside with the others?
We'll let you know our decision shortly.
- Why my place? - There isn't a meeting room.
- Jenny! Hello, Jen! - Mr Scott!
I told you there are mothers here trying to rest. Please.
- Oh, baby... - Mr Scott!
- That's it. Outside. Out! Out! - (Baby cries)
- I love you. - Yes.
- Come along, Mr Scott. - Hang on, Ewart.
Go home, sleep it off and you can come back later
and apologise to your wife who's embarrassed.
- But that's my baby. - I know. All seven pounds of her.
Now you go to bed. Good man. See you later. Bye.
- You will see him later. - I know I will.
- Is 7:30 OK? - Why my place again?
There isn't anywhere else.
Oh. Well, all right then. Are Baz and Charlie coming?
- I hope so. - Good.
- I've got to see Straker. Thanks. - Fine.
I'm delighted to tell you
that we're offering you the job of Senior Staff Nurse at St Stephen's.
- Details will be sent to you shortly. - Thank you.
Mr Plimmer.
To re-open the night shift, I have to find the money.
What do you want to do? Cut the maternity ward back?
Stop the extension to the Special Clinic?
Pull back on the new nurses' home?
Healthcare isn't cost effective.
Very little is.
I spent three years working for an American chemical company.
Not only was it as labour intensive, it was just as overstretched.
The rules are the same - spend more than you've got and you go under.
This is a subsidised industry. You worked for profit.
You still have to balance the books.
Or is that too right-wing a sentiment for you?
Thanks.
(Phone ringing)
None of this is to do with the bonus you get for making cuts, has it?
- I'm sorry? - Your bonus for implementing cuts.
I am paid an incentive for meeting my management objectives
and my job depends on my doing that.
- Can we talk sensibly? - I think we know where we stand.
- What's the pay rise? - Nothing. It's not a recognised grade.
- What a rip-off. - There's nothing you can do about it.
If you want Sister, you've got to do Senior Staff.
If Ewart gets the night shift, you'd get it automatically.
I can't cancel my career every time Ewart shouts, ''Night shift''.
- It might never happen. - But what if it does?
I've taken the job. OK?
- Ted, have you moved your stuff? - No.
Well, can you do it, please? Ted!
You, out! Go on.
(Ted) Since when does Ewart invite himself here unannounced?
(Megan) Keep your voice down.
- How did the interview go? - Not bad.
- Is Baz coming? - She's on holiday.
Oh.
Ted. For the last time, please clear your stuff from the sitting-room, will you?
- It's just a meeting. - When have you had just a meeting?
I don't want to discuss it now.
I'm going out. I'll be back later.
You get that stuff off your face before you leave this house.
Is this seat taken?
Thanks for coming.
- (Megan) How many for coffee? - (Doorbell rings)
Excuse me. Thank you.
- Where's Charlie? - Is he coming, Ewart?
Charlie's coming, but Baz is on holiday.
- Ted, what shall I do with...? - My friends!
Kuba!
- Hello, hello. Do you want a coffee? - Yes, please.
- You're late. - Yeah.
Bye.
(Noisy voices and laughter)
- Charlie, how are you? - All right.
- Where is Baz? - She had to go back to London.
Charlie, Megan and Ted have had a tiff.
Oh, yeah?
Will your members vote for the night shift or centralisation?
I can't sit on this for three weeks. I've got to make projections.
- Which way do you want it to go? - I can't afford the night shift.
It's nothing to do with Ewart Plimmer?
What do you mean?
The man may be objectionable, but you want to avoid getting personal.
If anyone's getting personal, it's him.
OK. Point taken.
The man behaves as though he's some kind of crusader, for heaven's sake.
No. It is nothing to do with Ewart Plimmer.
The DHA are going to vote on this in three weeks.
We've got to pack the meeting with an angry public.
First things first. Union support.
NUPE is a dead cert, plus they've got a rep on the DHA.
(Ewart) She's away.
- Go to her deputy. - No.
- What? - What about the RCN?
- I don't want to go to the unions. - They're on our side.
We don't want to give them cannon fodder.
What cannon fodder?
If it becomes a left-wing-right-wing battle, we'll lose people in-between.
- Come on. - That's a cop out.
- That's my responsibility. - OK.
The night shift is too expensive.
Well...
Then start persuading the DHA to vote against it.
How?
- Hypothetically? - Hypothetically.
Hypothetically, I'd start with my consultants.
I'd tell them of the risk to patient care if I had to re-start the night shift,
making it clear at the same time this was not a decision I welcomed.
Then I'd use my contacts on the DHA
to apply direct, but subtle, pressure to the voting members.
Then...I'd win.
Right... Local meeting in church hall,
fly-posting, leaflets, petitions...
- Press? - Anyone know a journalist?
I've got a cousin in Cheltenham, she writes...
- ''She''? Yeah. - She's a cousin, all right?
- Is she freelance? - I'll ask her.
- Who did the leaflets last time? - Ted's working man's club.
- (Ewart) Would they do them again? - I'll ask him.
Right. Who does what, when?
- I'll phone my cousin tonight. - Excuse me a minute.
(Chattering)
- Let's go. - We're not duty for an hour.
I want to take you out to a restaurant, put a big meal in front of you
and make love to you with my eyes.
OK.
(Laughter)
- I'll get this. - Oh, thank you.
Don't worry. You haven't missed Sport On Two.
Hang on, Charlie. Hang on.
- Nice coffee. Thank you, Megan. - You're welcome. Bye.
- Ewart, can I have a word? - Sure.
That's what I'm saying, love. If you come down, we can sort it out.
Yeah.
Steak and chips.
Avocado salad.
Chicken in white wine.
- Why leave it till now to tell me? - There wasn't time.
And I still want to help.
I don't understand you, Duffy. You'd have got Senior Staff on night shift.
- What's the difference? - Well, I can't be sure you'll win.
I certainly won't if that's your attitude.
- Ewart, come on. - No, no. It's all right.
I'm sorry.
She fought her heart out for you last year.
You've no right to speak to her like that. Duffy!
Can we win the night shift, Charlie?
Depends on the opposition.
I tell you this - to get away from my new work would be good.
For the last six months I fill a gap in the laundry depot.
Good old Kuba.
Listen. Try and fix it so you can stay down a couple of days.
Yeah. Da boch chi.
Sorry about that. A bit of a talker, my cousin.
- Let's just grab a sandwich at Control. - Was I gone that long?
- Sorry. - Hm.
- Fancy a coffee? - Oh, no.
No, thank you very much. I have some pots to plant. Bye.
- See you tomorrow. - See you. See you.
- Love to Baz. - Yeah.
You assume everybody can pack up their lives and fit in neatly around you.
Some of us have other things to think about.
You live alone and you've forgotten what an upheaval it is
to go from day to night - particularly for people like me.
I've got dogs and kids to feed, a husband to humour.
- What should I have done? - I don't know.
Maybe ask instead of telling people. How do you expect Duffy to feel?
Am I right to fight for the night shift?
Yes.
Just push us gently, will you?
Hiya, Ken.
- It's stuck. - Give it a yank.
It's stuck, broken, not working.
- Let me have a go. - You won't be able to do anything.
- What's that for? - It's nothing to do with that.
Oh.
(Doorbell rings)
(Duffy) Charlie?
- Who is it? - It's Duffy.
- Ah, stop. - Keep it going.
Right, right. Yeah. Oh, lovely. Did two come down at once there?
- No, it's OK. - What are you doing?
- I left you a note. - Yeah. I got it, yeah.
I didn't want to wake you, love.
- Where did you get the key? - In your jacket.
What gives you the right to use club facilities without asking?
- I didn't think you'd mind. - No?
I'm telling the club secretary.
Ted!
Ewart doesn't find it any easier than we do.
Give us a nudge when you want me to tell him. Fair enough?
Thanks, Charlie. When's Baz back?
- Er, weekend. - Oh. See you then.
- See ya. - Bye.
Come on, Ted, don't be so angry. I need that night shift.
I need the teamwork of the place. What is there for me in Maternity?
It's not the best place for somebody who's just had a hysterectomy.
When I asked for a transfer they offered me Geriatrics! For God's sake, Ted!
One of these days, you'll have to choose between me and your job.
(Ringing tone)
- Holby Hospital. - Hello. Er, Nursing Officer, please.
- Nursing Officer. - Mrs Carter? It's Charlie Fairhead.
- Hello, Charlie. - I need some cover for a few days.
- Oh, dear. Nothing serious, I hope? - No. It's just a touch of flu.
- Fine. Leave it with me. - OK. Thanks.
- Bye. - Bye.
(* Style Council: Walls Come Tumbling Down )
* You don't have to take this crap
* You don't have to sit back and relax
* You can actually try changing it
* I know we've always been taught to rely
* Upon those in authority
* But you never know until you try
* How things just might be
* If we came together so strongly
* Are you gonna try to make this work
* Or spend your days down in the dirt
* You see things can change, yes
* And walls can come tumbling down
* Governments crack and systems fall
* Cos unity is powerful
* Lights go out, walls come tumbling down
* Governments crack and systems fall
* Cos unity is powerful
* Lights go out, walls come tumbling down... *
You have no right to move the meeting to the small boardroom.
It's a deliberate attempt to exclude the public.
Mr Plimmer, I have no idea where you got your information, but it's wrong.
Now we're trying to work....
I am not leaving until you assure me that the DHA meeting
will be held in the large boardroom.
If that is where it was scheduled, then that is where it will be held.
Of course.
Excuse me.
- Strike that from the minutes. - Excuse me a moment.
Ewart!
Ewart, don't you think you're carrying this a bit far?
- No. You know what she's up to. - Yes, but tackle her privately.
Why? So she can tell more lies?
If I didn't know you better, I'd say that was paranoia.
If I didn't know you better, I might think you cared.
I'm sorry. I thought we were friends.
Colleagues.
(Quietly) You arrogant bastard.
Here it is.
The red alerts for the past two months,
the increase in the times it's taken us to ferry patients
and the delay in the extension to the new department.
And names and addresses of some people you should visit.
Think you can do something?
Only one thing - I make up my own mind.
- You betcha. - Can you recommend a hotel?
Don't be ridiculous. You can stay with me and Beryl.
I'm grateful for the gesture, but I'd feel happier keeping a bit of distance.
If I'm with you every evening you'd end up writing it for me. I know you.
Well, at least come and have some supper with us.
Or are you afraid my home brew will prejudice your opinions?
Nope. Just kill me.
The argument's about local facilities -
using what's available.
- Is Baz here? - I haven't seen her.
..Casualty Department idle at night
because somebody has decided that it's an unnecessary expense.
What we say is until they've replaced that facility,
they have no right to call it unnecessary.
(Shouts of agreement)
So keep it local, support the night shift
and turn up to lobby the meeting of the District Health Authority
- on the 4th, isn't it? - (Megan) Yes.
Yeah. The 4th. Thank you.
Thank you all for turning up on such a wicked night.
I'd just like to say that I think your attitude is ridiculous.
I'm sorry you take that line.
I do. And I don't pay taxes
to bring my kids to the khazi of a casualty ward like yours was.
We are working to improve that, sir.
And how do you expect the police to protect all those little departments?
That's why they want to build one big one.
I had to travel six miles the other day cos my local Casualty was closed.
My baby almost died of hypothermia.
And you're going on about centralisation.
What about the people who haven't got cars
and who can't afford taxis.
We need a place that's local, not miles away from anywhere.
That's what centralisation means - central!
- I'll believe that when I see it. - Give those in charge a chance.
- I wasn't. - Well, join the Communists then, eh?
(Angry shouting)
Dr Fincham declined to comment,
except that he thought it should be decided by the proper authorities -
the government and not the tabloids.
That's me folks.
Mr Pound...of flesh.
(Clock chimes)
- How did it go? - Great.
Made the House of Lords look like Disney World.
Ewart's playing peekaboo with the unions.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth Straker's hunting out sweeties.
Which one would you rather play with?
- You know what you need? - Yeah. I'm buying.
Victims.
Why didn't I think of it before? It stands to reason.
There must be hundreds who've had to travel miles for Casualty
now the night shift's closed.
We'll get them to the DHA meeting,
psych 'em up and let them go like a bloody greyhound - bang!
Why are your ambulances taking so long to get to Casualty?
(Man ) It's not my responsibility.
Then whose is it? Everyone I speak to thinks it's someone else's.
You're on the District Health Authority.
- What are you going to do? - I'm not obliged to talk to you!
Mr Pound?
This is ridiculous.
This is it.
I feel like a politician.
You kiss her baby, I'll grab her vote.
(Joyce) Who is it?
Charlie Fairhead. I'm a charge nurse at Holby City Hospital.
We met at the public meeting.
- Can I have a word? - Come in.
- Ta. - Here.
- Where are you going? - I know that bloke.
Excuse me?
Excuse me? Sorry.
You don't know me. I'm an ambulance man.
I was at Queens Casualty the other week.
I was the bloke that brought the biker in. Was he your son?
I'm very sorry what happened.
What do you want?
Me and my mate are sort of canvassing.
We want the local authority to reopen Holby City Casualty at nights
and I thought perhaps you might...support us.
- My son's dead. - Yes. I know that.
The point is he might not have died if we'd taken him somewhere else.
You bastard!
- I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. - My son's dead.
- What kind of a man are you? - I'm sorry.
You're telling me he could be alive? You bastard!
I'm sorry.
- You bastard! - I'm sorry!
What was that all about?
I forgot the bottom line.
She says she'll do it and I said we'd give her a lift, eh?
Yeah. Great.
Great.
- Joan Sullivan? - Yes.
Gregory Newman. I'm a consultant at Holby City Hospital.
Have I been annoying one of your friends?
Nothing like that. I did hear about you from a colleague.
- I was hoping for a favour. - Oh?
I'd like to show you where I work.
(Rattling)
Steven, play down this end, sweetheart.
Is there any hope for these children?
Leukaemia's like any cancer.
It's still early days,
but the cure rate in kids using bone marrow transplants
and cytoxic drugs is good.
But it all costs money.
You're saying this ward would close if Plimmer won?
I'm saying that nobody has a monopoly on care.
Ewart's a good consultant, but he's pushed too hard.
Now I'm faced with the threat of losing beds.
Who am I going to throw out?
Philip? Louisa? Ravi?
Debbie?
Oh, my God.
You didn't even mention us!
No, I lie. I don't want to be unfair. Here you are...one paragraph.
''Should Debbie die while doctors fight over Casualty or cancer?''
- Very bloody literary. - You're lucky I put that in.
Listen, woman, you came down here to support us.
Wrong. I came down here to write a story.
I went to every single person on your interview list and I got zilch.
Have you been round the leukaemia ward?
- Come on! - It's pitiful.
And I think it's more important than your mate's night shift.
How many gins did Newman put in you then?
It's called free speech.
- Well, have the bloody stuff. - Da boch chi.
- Don't have a bump on the way! - Hey, calm down.
(* Classical music through headphones)
We're gonna lose.
Keep Casualty local!
All right, keep back.
- Keep Casualty local! - Keep right back.
Oi, come on!
(Angry shouting)
Keep Casualty local!
You can't vote in front of the press. There'll be too much pressure.
What about a show of hands at the start? See how we feel?
Sounds like the best solution. I'll bring sandwiches.
(Woman) Cuts cost lives!
Cuts cost lives!
Sorry. Ewart, this is Carole. Carole's the NUPE rep.
I've been back four days. Why didn't you get in touch with me?
These are facts about the number of RTAs compared to other cases.
- Give us three days to get through it. - I can give you the basics verbatim.
- It's better than nothing. - Excuse me.
- Sorry I'm late. - Let's go.
- Charlie, it starts in two minutes. - Ten minutes.
Susie, will you just calm down?
You haven't been unemployed for the last eight months.
- All right. - No, it's not.
I get offered one poxy job in Medical Records and I turned it down.
- You never told me. - Well, now you know.
Susie, don't storm off on me like that.
If you can't remember this, push the local angle.
Casualty is a local service.
The DHA should have the community as their first priority.
- It's an old angle. - It's the truth.
I'll do my best. You should have been to me before.
Carole! Carole?
If we could make a start?
Ladies and gentlemen...
- (Honking) - Shut up!
What else did you get for Christmas? And you, mate!
- I'll call a cab. - I mean, why now?
All those in favour?
Carried. The vote will be closed to the public.
(Woman) That's unfair! You can't do that!
What are you afraid of? What have you got to hide?
First my cousin, now my car.
I've got to be cursed. I've got to be.
Come on.
There he is. Oi!
Mr Chairman...
the District Health Authority has an obligation to the local community
which it is not carrying out while these delays in centralisation continue.
I don't think anyone's disagreeing with you, Carole.
I understand it's only months before the drawings are approved.
Is that fair, Peter?
With respect, Mr Chairman, what guarantee do we have of that?
I gave a report at the last meeting, which you were absent from.
I was dealing with a strike and I'm bringing it up again now.
Why doesn't she just sing The Red Flag?
If we could push the debate forward a bit, I'd be grateful.
He's a seasoned campaigner now, aren't you, eh?
You all right? Give me the bag.
- Are we gonna be late? - Not too bad. Don't worry, love.
Sorry about the transport. The car broke down.
Get in. We've got to be mad doing this.
No. Just desperate.
The fiscal year '87-'88 indicates primary deficits of four million
with or without the closure of the children's hospital -
which the Authority has yet to decide upon.
Monies allocated for the construction of the new Casualty Department
cannot be offset against the deficit for last year without a total rethink.
What is he going on about?
Elizabeth Straker's already sheeted the RAWP target for Holby City.
You'll find that on page 16, paragraph 10,
with an appendage indicating reduction in...
For God's sake! Either open it up or don't.
Stop talking about us as though we're a crowd of digits!
- There'll be questions later. - Pompous oaf.
- You all right? - Yup.
There you go. Keep the change.
It's 6.20.
There you are. And may you live in interesting times.
If Holby Hospital reopens the night shift,
we're back to tit-for-tat ward closures
and my patients are going to suffer.
I don't need to remind you of the public's concern about leukaemia.
You only have to read the Holby Evening News to see that.
With respect, Mr Chairman... that is not the point of discussion.
The point of discussion is whether we serve the local community or not.
I don't see what all the fuss is about.
They'll build the new department eventually.
Eventually? What the hell's eventually?
Questions later.
I'm Ewart Plimmer - Casualty consultant at Holby.
- There'll be time for questions later. - Mr Chairman!
Everybody in this room believes in healthcare.
(Shouts of agreement)
But the argument isn't about that. It's about money.
If you'd had the money, the new department would be built
and my colleague there wouldn't have had to resort to shroud-waving.
His work with leukaemia victims is the best in the land
and I don't want to be held responsible for killing them. Nobody does.
But whether we like it or not, death is part of our business
and somewhere we've got to compromise.
Mr Chairman, the cold fact is that this year
more people will die from road accidents in Casualty
than are admitted to hospital with leukaemia.
One central Casualty department can't hope to cover the whole city.
We want small units like mine, spread across the city
within easy reach of local people.
That's the way to deal with Accident & Emergency.
You reopen the night shift and we'll show you.
(Cheering and shouting)
Holby! Holby!
Mr Chairman, we cannot continue this debate
in the presence of the public and the press!
- Order! - Holby! Holby!
If the public can't contain themselves, I shall have the room cleared.
Holby! Holby!
Order!
(Shouting continues)
Don't get so wound up.
I'll get as wound up as I like.
I don't think we should have been chucked out like that.
- Come on. Have a drink. - Buy your mother a drink.
I've got no money.
- Was my speech OK? - Yeah. It was fine.
Sloppy, sentimental. Put it there.
What about Duffy?
Looks like she's made the right move getting out.
We haven't lost yet.
She says she'll resign her post at St Stephen's if we'll take her on.
I think we should. You'd better agree.
I'll think about it.
I haven't felt so nervous since Chicago Bears played the Superbowl.
- Sorry? - American football.
Oh.
What can they be doing? They only have to stick their hands up.
- Yeah. We'll know soon enough. - Excuse me.
(* Billy Bragg: There Is Power In A Union)
You've done it.
(Shouting and cheering)
Well done!
Mr Plimmer! Straight whisky. Whisky. Big one.
Excuse me. I was there today and I thought you were brilliant.
- Thank you. - I'm Mary Tomlinson.
I'm Dr Crown's HO at St Stephen's.
I know this is the wrong time to ask,
but if you're advertising for a Casualty Officer, bear me in mind.
I know there's no guarantees, but I really admire what you stand for.
I wanted to catch you before you get bombarded with offers.
- Give me a call in my office. - Yeah. I will.
- Thank you. - Thanks.
Welcome back. I'm sorry.
Double vodka. Polish vodka.
Don't see it as a defeat. It's a compromise.
I think we should review it in a year.
Definitely.
- You know, I wanted you to lose. - Yeah...
- Maybe we can work something out. - Yeah. Are you gonna stay?
- No. I'll see you back home. - Oh.
- Come on. - Oh, I can't dance. I can't.
- Get up there and twirl. - I must be mad.
- I love you. - Yeah. You're drunk.
- And you're... - Don't you say it.
Shake it at me, come on.
(Carole) You should have seen her face...
Who's the dame with the long handshake?
- Could just be our new doctor. - Oh, yeah?
- Aren't they wonderful? - Yeah.
- Do not smoke. - Dr Ewart!
You're being far too serious. Come with me and dance. Come on.
Come and dance with me.
If you won't let me smoke...