Cardiac Arrest (1994–1996): Season 2, Episode 8 - The Betrayed - full transcript
"| would like your assurance any other member
of the medical team be tested immediately.
"| had an operation at your hospital last year.
| demand an immediate blood test...”
Anaesthetists with HIV or AIDS
are at liberty to continue to practise
since our work does not involve
invasive procedures
which might be a risk to patients or staff,
specifically the use of sharpened instruments
inside body cavities.
| have volunteered to keep away from patients
until the hospital receives the official guidance
of the Director of Public Health.
You know | will receive her full support.
Now, following the albeit reprehensible
disclosure of your diagnosis,
| fear you're being wilfully naive
not to expect repercussions.
Against the hospital, you mean,
from rabid journalists and ignorant councillors.
| will not be an apologist for hysteria.
Then stop acting like one.
I'm sure everything will be all right, Phil,
but | mean, at a time like this,
| mean it might have been wise
if you'd had private insurance after all...
— Oh, Andrew. Unfortunate news.
— What's that?
The inquest has been brought forward.
James.
You know, with you being, you know,
have you ever where | was concerned?
What?
Have you ever had thoughts
where | was concerned?
— What?
— Have you ever fancied me?
Rest assured,
I'm one of the few people in this country
who has never taken a passing interest
in your backside.
Good. Hang on.
How come? If | got on as well with a girl
as | did with a mate,
she'd have to be a right tugboat
for me not to fancy her.
Raj, it's Jackie. WiLL you look after her?
Yeah, sure.
— Hiya.
— Raj.
It's my daughter.
She's got an abscess on her bottom.
Nasty abscess, that. Looks like we're gonna
have to cut off your whole bottom.
Not quite.
It's a perianal abscess.
| reckon we can tee up surgery
for some time this arvo.
Don't forget to tell the anaesthetist
about her asthma.
| won't, Jackie.
Try to stop being a nurse and just be a mum.
Sorry. | know she's in good hands.
(Laughs) See ya.
See you, Sharon. See you.
| see the hospital are being
their usual soft touch over sick leave.
(Sighs) So much for this crap about
macho doctors not accepting their own illnesses.
It's more like no one else will let you accept it.
They only every granted a sickie
to one of the juniors,
and then only on account of her being dead.
(Laughs)
— See you.
— See you.
He must think that | was born yesterday,
not to notice he'd taken a blood test
from my son.
| could have him charged with assault,
you know.
— Scissors.
— Mm-—hm.
Those useless med school lectures
will be fresher in your memory than mine.
The inheritance of blood groups.
lf her father is,
let's say blood group AB...
His children's blood group would be A or AB.
Or B, but not 0?
— | thought so.
— (Phone rings)
Thanks.
Ward L. Staff Nurse Dalton.
Thanks. Theatre's sending for Sharon Landers.
Her sats are dropping like a stone.
— Get help.
— Atropine and sux.
— (Monitor beeps rapidly)
— (Laboured breathing)
| mean, what bothers me most
is that I've stopped being a person
— and I've become an issue.
— Hm.
We need an anaesthetist in theatre.
Sorry, not me.
She went into laryngeal spasm
after the first incision.
— OK, OK, OK. Back to 100% oxygen.
— (Monitor beeps rapidly)
She had .6 of atropine and 50 of sux.
You did the right thing.
No one ever died from not having a tube,
only from not having enough oxygen.
Her sats are coming back up.
(Monitor beeps steadily)
OK.
Together.
It's all right, you've had a scare, Nick,
but no harm done.
Sorry for desterilising your theatre.
Now, Sister, you know she's in very good hands.
— Sharon's fine.
— (Sighs)
— Did you get involved?
— I'm glad you did.
Me too. We're taking her to HDU
just as a precaution.
OK.
They've got you now, my boy.
(Docherty) | feel very sorry for the lad.
Easily one of the more capable members of
that shower that call themselves anaesthetists.
I'm grateful to be leaving this bizarre setup,
where the mice have begun
to run the experiment.
A grateful valediction indeed, Isobel.
— In my day, management...
— Enough.
Ernest, I've no wish to share in a dotage of
"if only", “what might have been",
or “the good old days".
Either you accept the fact that your time is past
or you stay and you fight.
| know for which I'd respect you more.
No, of course | don’t want to go back
to being someone's assistant.
— | take it my protest has been noted.
— (Knock at door)
Thank you.
Come in.
Paul
| know how busy you two are,
so I'LL get straight to the point.
This administration cannot afford
for tomorrow's hearing to become an inquest
into how this hospital is run.
It should be Dr Kirkby, guilty or not guilty.
Oh. Lone assassin.
Hm.
I'm sorry, Barry?
An unbalanced individual acting alone,
no shot from the grassy knoll.
A single bullet ricochets halfway round Dallas
before embedding itself in the president's head.
No conspiracy there, that's for sure.
Oh, come on. You're doing it again.
Making a scapegoat of Phil Kirkby.
I'm sorry, I'm having no part in it.
— Now, Barry...
— No, Graham. I've...
I've heard enough.
(Door closes)
Phil is a good lad.
He's worked well for me these six months.
I'm sure he'll see reason.
Either he falls or he's pushed. He takes a dive.
Oh, my God, Graham.
| thought | came here
to get outpatients seen on time.
James.
Mr Docherty.
May | say how pleased | am
to learn about your change of heart.
One moment, Mr Tennant.
I'm merely willing to reconsider my position
vis—a—vis retirement.
There is one condition.
Name it.
James Mortimer.
You leave him be.
— Hi.
— Hi.
| checked on the ward and he's taken the result.
Yes. Thank you.
— That's OK.
— Anything that stops Adrian DeVries
from finding out that Steven really is his son
has got to be worth it.
Anyway, | think that one bastard in the family
is quite enough.
Sit down, Phil
| expect you're nervous about tomorrow.
Don't be. It's all taken care of.
Now, these...are the notes...
of Mr Mcintyre.
The patient who died due to your error.
| would like to draw your attention
to the last entry in your hand.
"Discussed with Dr Turner.
"Advised to continue.”
It was Christmas Day.
I'd partaken of one sherry too many, perhaps.
Possibly | wasn't communicating
with my normal clarity,
and so you misunderstood.
We expect you to admit responsibility
for Mr MclIntyre's death
owing to your ineptitude.
We expect you to deny that long hours
or incomplete training
contributed to your error.
Well, I-I hope you'll forgive me
not liking the sound of your plan.
Our "plan"? No.
If there is a financial settlement, the health
authority will pay under NHS indemnity.
If you do this thing for us, Phil,
it won't go unnoticed.
We will see you right for all the plum jobs.
We promise you, no one will touch you for this.
But if you don't, you'll have to pick up
the pieces without our help.
Not a good position
for a young doctor to be in.
But | know you trust us, Phil.
| know because you're one of us.
So what are you gonna do with your life now?
(Laughs)
Goodness knows.
Well, tomorrow I've got, erm,
a meeting with some people
who recruit former doctors.
You mean conscientious objectors,
bed-—wetters, losers and wasters.
So you don't regret leaving?
| believe that medicine can help people.
| believe in the National Health Service.
| just hate the runts who run it.
(Laughs)
So, what do you regret, then?
| wonder if Charlotte and |
should have had children.
| swear by almighty God that the evidence
which | shall give be the truth,
the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
— (Woman) You are Dr Philip John Kirkby?
— Yes, | am.
Speak up, please.
Yes, ma‘am, | am.
In what capacity did you attend
Geoffrey Mcintyre
on the evening of December 25th,
Christmas Day?
| was the house officer on call.
| was asked to give Mr Mcintyre
his chemotherapy.
How long had you been on duty?
Just 36 hours.
And with what amount of break time?
None.
— No sleep?
— No.
— This is normal practice?
— Yes.
So after 36 hours of being on duty,
with no breaks, no opportunity to rest,
you went ahead and made up
Geoffrey Mclntyre's chemotherapy?
Yes, ma‘am.
This was one of your usual duties?
No. The, erm...
junior doctors are only expected
to make up the chemotherapy
if it needs doing out of hours.
What training have you had in this procedure?
None.
Were you fully confident of
what you were doing?
Erm...
— Not quite sure, ma‘am.
— Did you ask anyone
to corroborate that you were
following correct procedure?
No. Hospital policy forbids the nurses
from checking chemotherapy.
Examination of the materials and fluids
you used when mixing the chemotherapy...
(Mobile phone rings)
. suggested that an incorrect dilution
had been made.
Do you dispute this evidence?
No.
We will hear written testimony
from a number of sources
who assert that an injection of such
an over—concentrated solution could prove fatal.
| am Mary Withers.
| was the duty pharmacist
on December the 25th.
Dr Kirkby asked me to come to the hospital
to perform a task
which is excluded by my job description.
...have the written statement
of my head of department.
This document has been supplied
to all interested parties and is not contested.
| admit it in evidence under rule 37.
It states that the reconstitution of chemotherapy
is not considered an appropriate on-call duty.
Dr Kirkby has informed us
that the doctors receive no formal training
in handling chemotherapy.
— Do your
— Yes, ma'am. | have.
What safety equipment is provided for you
when you work with chemotherapy drugs?
We have a FlowGuard cupboard
to protect us from fumes...
(Inaudible)
visors, gloves.
To your knowledge, is this equipment provided
for the doctors when they handle chemotherapy?
No, ma‘am.
All efforts at resuscitation were...
unsuccessful
and | pronounced Mr Mcintyre dead at, erm...
8:55pm.
Thank you, Dr Collin.
In your testimony you stated
that Dr Kirkby contacted you for advice.
Yes, ma‘am.
In my recollection, Dr Kirkby omitted this detail
from his own testimony.
You may step down, Dr Collin.
| would like to recall Dr Kirkby.
Dr Kirkby, may | remind you
you remain under oath?
Did you seek advice from senior colleagues
in the case of Geoffrey Mcintyre?
Well, yes. In the...
first instant, | contacted Dr Collin,
the senior house officer...
er...
who was himself unfamiliar with chemotherapy,
and he suggested that
| contacted the pharmacist.
Did you speak with Dr Collin again
before you went ahead with the chemotherapy?
No.
Did you contact anyone else?
Well, who might you have contacted?
Erm...
Dr Turner, the consultant on call.
Erm...
Had Dr Turner ever given you the impression
that he would respond unfavourably
— if you asked him for assistance?
— No.
Dr Kirkby.
I'm sure you realise housemen are encouraged
to seek guidance from senior doctors.
Yours is a training post,
and therefore,
if a more senior colleague
sanctioned one of your actions...
the responsibility would be his.
Dr Kirkby, did you contact Dr Turner?
Er...no.
(Judge) Thank you.
Both Dr Kirkby
and Dr Collin have related the events
surrounding the death of Mr Mcintyre.
We have also heard written testimony
from the pathologist,
Professor Lester,
who cites the most likely cause of death
as anaphylactic shock...
due to incorrect reconstitution of chemotherapy.
Can you offer an alternative explanation,
Dr Yates?
Er...
No, ma‘am.
To my regret...
| cannot.
Er...
But...
| want to say that | believe
that it would be unjust
if the outcome of today's hearing
is to single out an individual for blame.
The broader culprit
is the training of and expectations
placed on junior hospital doctors.
In summary,
we have heard how
a tired and inexperienced houseman,
Dr Kirkby,
made an error in mixing a solution
of a chemotherapy drug,
which proved fatal to Geoffrey Mcintyre
on the evening of December 25th.
We have heard that Dr Kirkby had received
no formal training in handling chemotherapy.
And how his endeavours to obtain assistance
proved unsuccessful.
Primum non nocere.
"First, do no harm"
is an age-old maxim of medical practice.
Despite his own misgivings,
Dr Kirkby pressed on
when he had not exhausted all the options
of contacting more senior colleaques,
or simply declining to carry out the procedure
on the grounds that it represented
a threat to patient safety.
| believe that Dr Kirkby
acted with reckless negligence,
and | therefore record a verdict of unlawful
killing in the case of Geoffrey Mcintyre.
The case will be referred
to the Crown Prosecution Service,
and it may be that at some point in the future,
Dr Kirkby will be asked to face
a criminal charge of manslaughter.
(Sobs)
ALL rise.
Sorry about that.
I'm sorry, who might you be?
Oh, I'm the solicitor appointed by
the health board to represent you Lot.
Believe me, Phil, everything will be fine.
Er, Alec, listen...
Why? Why did you kill him, eh?
Why did you kill him?
You know my husband's in the ground
because of you.
Why did you do it?
Why didn't you think to call a proper doctor, eh?
Why? Something should be done about
doctors like you, something should be done!
| hope you rot in hell!
You murderer!
(Sobs) You...
| want him...
| want...
— | want Geoff.
— (Turner inaudible)
| want him.
| want him back.
(Continues sobbing)
Well, I'LL come straight to the point, shall I?
Basically we're in the business of recruiting
well—motivated, well-qualified people
like yourself.
So what do we have to offer, eh? Well, let's
look at the points. Hours of work first of all
I'm well aware of the horrendous hours
that you have to work at the moment.
With us it is strictly nine to five.
Our financial package is generous,
| think you'll agree.
We had somebody join our company
a year and a half ago,
they're now pulling in 30, 35K a year,
company car with a mobile phone,
generous pension scheme as well
and a good holiday allowance.
You would have a life outside of work as well
It's quite unusual for us to recruit somebody
direct from the NHS,
but | think somebody with your skills,
we'd certainly be very interested in.
Can someone call an ambulance, please, now?
Do you need any help, love?
It's OK, I'm, er...
I'm a doctor.
It's my job.
In recognition of your, erm...
30 years’ dedicated service...
— (Knock on door)
— Come in.
| would like to present you
with this cheque for £50.
Dr Yates.
Mr Tennant.
Just thought you'd like to know
one of the housemen who was joining us
next February has withdrawn.
The word's got around this administration
asks the earth of its doctors
before throwing them to the Lions.
You and |, Dr Yates, we do the best job we can.
I'LL be clearing my desk by the end of the week.
| can't recall the last occasion
when a manager was brought to book
over an “error of judgment.”
I'm being promoted, Dr Yates.
The assistant manager is carrying the can.
She's not complaining, of course.
20,000 golden handshake
and she gets to keep the BMW.
I'm supposed to be flying off on holiday
this afternoon.
— Ill still be able to go, won't I?
— If it's not broken.
But, er, if it needs a plaster, then you can't fly,
low air pressure and that.
— What's the damage?
— Nothing broken. Tell him the good news.
Your friends are back.
— Get the car.
— What?
Go outside and get the car.
| want to see Dr Rajah.
— Broken. It will need a plaster.
— No way.
Way. Look, mate, | feel pretty bad
about you losing your holiday,
— so I'll buy it off you, 50 quid.
— 50 quid?
Are you going to get a better offer today?
I've just got my stuff. I'm back at work.
— Where are you going?
— On holiday.
Look after the flat while we're gone.
I'LL send you a postcard.
Right.
see ya.
Let's have an urgent blood count, U&E,
clotting and glucose.
Blood bank should have his type,
if not, four units of O negative.
Cross—match 12. Straightaway.
BP 90 over AO.
A bit worrying. Let's start 5% dextrose
on this side, not saline.
Last thing we need is a hepatic encephalopathy.
Varices again.
Best bet now will be a Sengstaken tube.
That's what a registrar's for.
Debbie, can you get on to the endoscopy suite
to send up a Sengstaken, please?
Also see if there's any vasopressin.
— James, | reckon he needs a central line.
— | agree.
(Andrew) Let's get a central line trolley
for James, please.
Tachycardic as anything.
— That haematol's nearly down.
— |'m onto it.
Where's the cross—match?
Uh—-uh. OK. He needs a tube now. Let's get him
to Endoscopy, see what we can do on the way.
Get the trolley, please.
I'm home.
of the medical team be tested immediately.
"| had an operation at your hospital last year.
| demand an immediate blood test...”
Anaesthetists with HIV or AIDS
are at liberty to continue to practise
since our work does not involve
invasive procedures
which might be a risk to patients or staff,
specifically the use of sharpened instruments
inside body cavities.
| have volunteered to keep away from patients
until the hospital receives the official guidance
of the Director of Public Health.
You know | will receive her full support.
Now, following the albeit reprehensible
disclosure of your diagnosis,
| fear you're being wilfully naive
not to expect repercussions.
Against the hospital, you mean,
from rabid journalists and ignorant councillors.
| will not be an apologist for hysteria.
Then stop acting like one.
I'm sure everything will be all right, Phil,
but | mean, at a time like this,
| mean it might have been wise
if you'd had private insurance after all...
— Oh, Andrew. Unfortunate news.
— What's that?
The inquest has been brought forward.
James.
You know, with you being, you know,
have you ever where | was concerned?
What?
Have you ever had thoughts
where | was concerned?
— What?
— Have you ever fancied me?
Rest assured,
I'm one of the few people in this country
who has never taken a passing interest
in your backside.
Good. Hang on.
How come? If | got on as well with a girl
as | did with a mate,
she'd have to be a right tugboat
for me not to fancy her.
Raj, it's Jackie. WiLL you look after her?
Yeah, sure.
— Hiya.
— Raj.
It's my daughter.
She's got an abscess on her bottom.
Nasty abscess, that. Looks like we're gonna
have to cut off your whole bottom.
Not quite.
It's a perianal abscess.
| reckon we can tee up surgery
for some time this arvo.
Don't forget to tell the anaesthetist
about her asthma.
| won't, Jackie.
Try to stop being a nurse and just be a mum.
Sorry. | know she's in good hands.
(Laughs) See ya.
See you, Sharon. See you.
| see the hospital are being
their usual soft touch over sick leave.
(Sighs) So much for this crap about
macho doctors not accepting their own illnesses.
It's more like no one else will let you accept it.
They only every granted a sickie
to one of the juniors,
and then only on account of her being dead.
(Laughs)
— See you.
— See you.
He must think that | was born yesterday,
not to notice he'd taken a blood test
from my son.
| could have him charged with assault,
you know.
— Scissors.
— Mm-—hm.
Those useless med school lectures
will be fresher in your memory than mine.
The inheritance of blood groups.
lf her father is,
let's say blood group AB...
His children's blood group would be A or AB.
Or B, but not 0?
— | thought so.
— (Phone rings)
Thanks.
Ward L. Staff Nurse Dalton.
Thanks. Theatre's sending for Sharon Landers.
Her sats are dropping like a stone.
— Get help.
— Atropine and sux.
— (Monitor beeps rapidly)
— (Laboured breathing)
| mean, what bothers me most
is that I've stopped being a person
— and I've become an issue.
— Hm.
We need an anaesthetist in theatre.
Sorry, not me.
She went into laryngeal spasm
after the first incision.
— OK, OK, OK. Back to 100% oxygen.
— (Monitor beeps rapidly)
She had .6 of atropine and 50 of sux.
You did the right thing.
No one ever died from not having a tube,
only from not having enough oxygen.
Her sats are coming back up.
(Monitor beeps steadily)
OK.
Together.
It's all right, you've had a scare, Nick,
but no harm done.
Sorry for desterilising your theatre.
Now, Sister, you know she's in very good hands.
— Sharon's fine.
— (Sighs)
— Did you get involved?
— I'm glad you did.
Me too. We're taking her to HDU
just as a precaution.
OK.
They've got you now, my boy.
(Docherty) | feel very sorry for the lad.
Easily one of the more capable members of
that shower that call themselves anaesthetists.
I'm grateful to be leaving this bizarre setup,
where the mice have begun
to run the experiment.
A grateful valediction indeed, Isobel.
— In my day, management...
— Enough.
Ernest, I've no wish to share in a dotage of
"if only", “what might have been",
or “the good old days".
Either you accept the fact that your time is past
or you stay and you fight.
| know for which I'd respect you more.
No, of course | don’t want to go back
to being someone's assistant.
— | take it my protest has been noted.
— (Knock at door)
Thank you.
Come in.
Paul
| know how busy you two are,
so I'LL get straight to the point.
This administration cannot afford
for tomorrow's hearing to become an inquest
into how this hospital is run.
It should be Dr Kirkby, guilty or not guilty.
Oh. Lone assassin.
Hm.
I'm sorry, Barry?
An unbalanced individual acting alone,
no shot from the grassy knoll.
A single bullet ricochets halfway round Dallas
before embedding itself in the president's head.
No conspiracy there, that's for sure.
Oh, come on. You're doing it again.
Making a scapegoat of Phil Kirkby.
I'm sorry, I'm having no part in it.
— Now, Barry...
— No, Graham. I've...
I've heard enough.
(Door closes)
Phil is a good lad.
He's worked well for me these six months.
I'm sure he'll see reason.
Either he falls or he's pushed. He takes a dive.
Oh, my God, Graham.
| thought | came here
to get outpatients seen on time.
James.
Mr Docherty.
May | say how pleased | am
to learn about your change of heart.
One moment, Mr Tennant.
I'm merely willing to reconsider my position
vis—a—vis retirement.
There is one condition.
Name it.
James Mortimer.
You leave him be.
— Hi.
— Hi.
| checked on the ward and he's taken the result.
Yes. Thank you.
— That's OK.
— Anything that stops Adrian DeVries
from finding out that Steven really is his son
has got to be worth it.
Anyway, | think that one bastard in the family
is quite enough.
Sit down, Phil
| expect you're nervous about tomorrow.
Don't be. It's all taken care of.
Now, these...are the notes...
of Mr Mcintyre.
The patient who died due to your error.
| would like to draw your attention
to the last entry in your hand.
"Discussed with Dr Turner.
"Advised to continue.”
It was Christmas Day.
I'd partaken of one sherry too many, perhaps.
Possibly | wasn't communicating
with my normal clarity,
and so you misunderstood.
We expect you to admit responsibility
for Mr MclIntyre's death
owing to your ineptitude.
We expect you to deny that long hours
or incomplete training
contributed to your error.
Well, I-I hope you'll forgive me
not liking the sound of your plan.
Our "plan"? No.
If there is a financial settlement, the health
authority will pay under NHS indemnity.
If you do this thing for us, Phil,
it won't go unnoticed.
We will see you right for all the plum jobs.
We promise you, no one will touch you for this.
But if you don't, you'll have to pick up
the pieces without our help.
Not a good position
for a young doctor to be in.
But | know you trust us, Phil.
| know because you're one of us.
So what are you gonna do with your life now?
(Laughs)
Goodness knows.
Well, tomorrow I've got, erm,
a meeting with some people
who recruit former doctors.
You mean conscientious objectors,
bed-—wetters, losers and wasters.
So you don't regret leaving?
| believe that medicine can help people.
| believe in the National Health Service.
| just hate the runts who run it.
(Laughs)
So, what do you regret, then?
| wonder if Charlotte and |
should have had children.
| swear by almighty God that the evidence
which | shall give be the truth,
the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
— (Woman) You are Dr Philip John Kirkby?
— Yes, | am.
Speak up, please.
Yes, ma‘am, | am.
In what capacity did you attend
Geoffrey Mcintyre
on the evening of December 25th,
Christmas Day?
| was the house officer on call.
| was asked to give Mr Mcintyre
his chemotherapy.
How long had you been on duty?
Just 36 hours.
And with what amount of break time?
None.
— No sleep?
— No.
— This is normal practice?
— Yes.
So after 36 hours of being on duty,
with no breaks, no opportunity to rest,
you went ahead and made up
Geoffrey Mclntyre's chemotherapy?
Yes, ma‘am.
This was one of your usual duties?
No. The, erm...
junior doctors are only expected
to make up the chemotherapy
if it needs doing out of hours.
What training have you had in this procedure?
None.
Were you fully confident of
what you were doing?
Erm...
— Not quite sure, ma‘am.
— Did you ask anyone
to corroborate that you were
following correct procedure?
No. Hospital policy forbids the nurses
from checking chemotherapy.
Examination of the materials and fluids
you used when mixing the chemotherapy...
(Mobile phone rings)
. suggested that an incorrect dilution
had been made.
Do you dispute this evidence?
No.
We will hear written testimony
from a number of sources
who assert that an injection of such
an over—concentrated solution could prove fatal.
| am Mary Withers.
| was the duty pharmacist
on December the 25th.
Dr Kirkby asked me to come to the hospital
to perform a task
which is excluded by my job description.
...have the written statement
of my head of department.
This document has been supplied
to all interested parties and is not contested.
| admit it in evidence under rule 37.
It states that the reconstitution of chemotherapy
is not considered an appropriate on-call duty.
Dr Kirkby has informed us
that the doctors receive no formal training
in handling chemotherapy.
— Do your
— Yes, ma'am. | have.
What safety equipment is provided for you
when you work with chemotherapy drugs?
We have a FlowGuard cupboard
to protect us from fumes...
(Inaudible)
visors, gloves.
To your knowledge, is this equipment provided
for the doctors when they handle chemotherapy?
No, ma‘am.
All efforts at resuscitation were...
unsuccessful
and | pronounced Mr Mcintyre dead at, erm...
8:55pm.
Thank you, Dr Collin.
In your testimony you stated
that Dr Kirkby contacted you for advice.
Yes, ma‘am.
In my recollection, Dr Kirkby omitted this detail
from his own testimony.
You may step down, Dr Collin.
| would like to recall Dr Kirkby.
Dr Kirkby, may | remind you
you remain under oath?
Did you seek advice from senior colleagues
in the case of Geoffrey Mcintyre?
Well, yes. In the...
first instant, | contacted Dr Collin,
the senior house officer...
er...
who was himself unfamiliar with chemotherapy,
and he suggested that
| contacted the pharmacist.
Did you speak with Dr Collin again
before you went ahead with the chemotherapy?
No.
Did you contact anyone else?
Well, who might you have contacted?
Erm...
Dr Turner, the consultant on call.
Erm...
Had Dr Turner ever given you the impression
that he would respond unfavourably
— if you asked him for assistance?
— No.
Dr Kirkby.
I'm sure you realise housemen are encouraged
to seek guidance from senior doctors.
Yours is a training post,
and therefore,
if a more senior colleague
sanctioned one of your actions...
the responsibility would be his.
Dr Kirkby, did you contact Dr Turner?
Er...no.
(Judge) Thank you.
Both Dr Kirkby
and Dr Collin have related the events
surrounding the death of Mr Mcintyre.
We have also heard written testimony
from the pathologist,
Professor Lester,
who cites the most likely cause of death
as anaphylactic shock...
due to incorrect reconstitution of chemotherapy.
Can you offer an alternative explanation,
Dr Yates?
Er...
No, ma‘am.
To my regret...
| cannot.
Er...
But...
| want to say that | believe
that it would be unjust
if the outcome of today's hearing
is to single out an individual for blame.
The broader culprit
is the training of and expectations
placed on junior hospital doctors.
In summary,
we have heard how
a tired and inexperienced houseman,
Dr Kirkby,
made an error in mixing a solution
of a chemotherapy drug,
which proved fatal to Geoffrey Mcintyre
on the evening of December 25th.
We have heard that Dr Kirkby had received
no formal training in handling chemotherapy.
And how his endeavours to obtain assistance
proved unsuccessful.
Primum non nocere.
"First, do no harm"
is an age-old maxim of medical practice.
Despite his own misgivings,
Dr Kirkby pressed on
when he had not exhausted all the options
of contacting more senior colleaques,
or simply declining to carry out the procedure
on the grounds that it represented
a threat to patient safety.
| believe that Dr Kirkby
acted with reckless negligence,
and | therefore record a verdict of unlawful
killing in the case of Geoffrey Mcintyre.
The case will be referred
to the Crown Prosecution Service,
and it may be that at some point in the future,
Dr Kirkby will be asked to face
a criminal charge of manslaughter.
(Sobs)
ALL rise.
Sorry about that.
I'm sorry, who might you be?
Oh, I'm the solicitor appointed by
the health board to represent you Lot.
Believe me, Phil, everything will be fine.
Er, Alec, listen...
Why? Why did you kill him, eh?
Why did you kill him?
You know my husband's in the ground
because of you.
Why did you do it?
Why didn't you think to call a proper doctor, eh?
Why? Something should be done about
doctors like you, something should be done!
| hope you rot in hell!
You murderer!
(Sobs) You...
| want him...
| want...
— | want Geoff.
— (Turner inaudible)
| want him.
| want him back.
(Continues sobbing)
Well, I'LL come straight to the point, shall I?
Basically we're in the business of recruiting
well—motivated, well-qualified people
like yourself.
So what do we have to offer, eh? Well, let's
look at the points. Hours of work first of all
I'm well aware of the horrendous hours
that you have to work at the moment.
With us it is strictly nine to five.
Our financial package is generous,
| think you'll agree.
We had somebody join our company
a year and a half ago,
they're now pulling in 30, 35K a year,
company car with a mobile phone,
generous pension scheme as well
and a good holiday allowance.
You would have a life outside of work as well
It's quite unusual for us to recruit somebody
direct from the NHS,
but | think somebody with your skills,
we'd certainly be very interested in.
Can someone call an ambulance, please, now?
Do you need any help, love?
It's OK, I'm, er...
I'm a doctor.
It's my job.
In recognition of your, erm...
30 years’ dedicated service...
— (Knock on door)
— Come in.
| would like to present you
with this cheque for £50.
Dr Yates.
Mr Tennant.
Just thought you'd like to know
one of the housemen who was joining us
next February has withdrawn.
The word's got around this administration
asks the earth of its doctors
before throwing them to the Lions.
You and |, Dr Yates, we do the best job we can.
I'LL be clearing my desk by the end of the week.
| can't recall the last occasion
when a manager was brought to book
over an “error of judgment.”
I'm being promoted, Dr Yates.
The assistant manager is carrying the can.
She's not complaining, of course.
20,000 golden handshake
and she gets to keep the BMW.
I'm supposed to be flying off on holiday
this afternoon.
— Ill still be able to go, won't I?
— If it's not broken.
But, er, if it needs a plaster, then you can't fly,
low air pressure and that.
— What's the damage?
— Nothing broken. Tell him the good news.
Your friends are back.
— Get the car.
— What?
Go outside and get the car.
| want to see Dr Rajah.
— Broken. It will need a plaster.
— No way.
Way. Look, mate, | feel pretty bad
about you losing your holiday,
— so I'll buy it off you, 50 quid.
— 50 quid?
Are you going to get a better offer today?
I've just got my stuff. I'm back at work.
— Where are you going?
— On holiday.
Look after the flat while we're gone.
I'LL send you a postcard.
Right.
see ya.
Let's have an urgent blood count, U&E,
clotting and glucose.
Blood bank should have his type,
if not, four units of O negative.
Cross—match 12. Straightaway.
BP 90 over AO.
A bit worrying. Let's start 5% dextrose
on this side, not saline.
Last thing we need is a hepatic encephalopathy.
Varices again.
Best bet now will be a Sengstaken tube.
That's what a registrar's for.
Debbie, can you get on to the endoscopy suite
to send up a Sengstaken, please?
Also see if there's any vasopressin.
— James, | reckon he needs a central line.
— | agree.
(Andrew) Let's get a central line trolley
for James, please.
Tachycardic as anything.
— That haematol's nearly down.
— |'m onto it.
Where's the cross—match?
Uh—-uh. OK. He needs a tube now. Let's get him
to Endoscopy, see what we can do on the way.
Get the trolley, please.
I'm home.