Morning!
Nina! You're early.
And you're in my office.
I was just checking everything was in place.
Yes.
Karen and Scarlett have the rota, and an email's been sent out
to the rest of the staff explaining how today's going to work.
I don't think there's much else we can do.
Oh, there's always more.
I've bought a little something for the meeting,
and I'm planning a surprise for the end of the day.
Oh. Are you going to fill me in?
Wait and see.
I think we're going to get some very illuminating results.
Oh, Nina, we shouldn't expect too much from this.
Let's look at it more as an experiment.
Oh, don't be silly.
If we can get them as enthused about the idea as we are,
then today is really going to fly!
Ooh! What do we have here?
Mm.
If it looks like a trap,
then it is a trap,
in the immortal words of Admiral Ackbar.
But, er, what did he know?
Someone's keen! Oh!
What?!
Howzat!
Clearly you're as excited about today as I am. Oh.
Excited is not the word.
Have you done anything like this before?
I've been a guinea pig many times before.
Every year the partners think of some new way to make us
talk about our hopes and dreams.
It's good to mix things up.
It never goes well.
They always fail to take into account one thing.
What's that?
The human element.
Us humans, we don't like doing as we're told.
That's not what peer reviews are about.
Ah, yeah.
Peer reviews are based on the flawed premise that we are all peers
because we work together. It's false.
We're all individuals -
different ages, different backgrounds, different skillsets.
In my humble opinion, what management need to do is
find one way that works and stick with it.
That wouldn't be as much fun, though, would it?
It would be smart, though, wouldn't it?
I'm sure this time next year you'll have thought of something
even more ridiculous to put us all through. Oh...no offence.
Thank you.
What are you thanking me for?
That's exactly the kind of honesty I was hoping for.
Really? Yes.
Thank you so much.
Are you going to finish your pastry?
No. I've lost my appetite.
Oh, well.
Just keep on being you.
Ooh! Nice!
Looking forward to today, Sid?
Absolutely. I've got Emma - it should be a breeze.
Good.
I haven't read a single one of those emails you keep sending me.
I've been busy with patients. Call me old-fashioned.
Well, I've put a lot of thought into these pairings.
You, obviously, will be with Emma, Sid.
Daniel will be with Suni.
Jimmi with Zara.
And I will be with...
..you.
I wouldn't want someone looking over my shoulder
telling me what I'm doing wrong...again.
All right.
I can't imagine Zara enjoying being told that she needs to be
a bit more touchy-feely.
No. It's just going to put everybody's backs up, isn't it?
I mean... Especially Al.
He's been whining about it for ages.
Yeah, but does he actually care what anyone else thinks? Hmm.
So, who ended up with who?
Um...
Oh! Sid and Emma are the only ones not with partners.
They dodged a bullet. No.
Can you imagine
having to tell your boss
that they could be doing better? They'd be all, like...
Er, could you get me that file that I asked for earlier?
Yes, I'll grab it now. Hm-hm-hm!
Yeah, let's not review the reviews
before the reviewing part has actually happened, eh?
Nina. Al! What can I do for you?
Bearing in mind the tone of our recent conversations,
perhaps it might be best if you and I weren't paired together?
What do you mean?
I think this is a waste of time, you don't think it's a waste of time -
therein lies a clash.
Oh, you silly man!
It's fine.
Is it, though? Of course!
We are all friends here.
Professional friends, of course.
And you're completely entitled to your opinion.
Although I'm hoping I might be able to change your mind
about a few things by the end of the day.
That's not going to happen.
It might. It won't.
We'll have to agree to disagree.
How about we disagree to disagree?
I want to double down on the disagreement.
Oh, come on! There's no need to worry -
I'm going to be completely professional in my feedback.
And I'm sure you will be, too.
OK, so to make today a bit more interesting
and, quite frankly, less dull, I suggest we have a little bet
on which doctor's going to throw the biggest wobbly.
And by wobbly you mean...?
Strop, paddy - whatever you want to call it.
Who's going to throw their toys the furthest out of the pram? OK.
And the winner doesn't have to buy any drinks at The Icon later.
Ha! You are on!
OK, I'll get the ball rolling.
I'm going to go for...Zara.
There is no way that she's getting through this entire day
without kicking off big-style.
No chance.
Jimmi's far too laid back.
Mm. All right, who are you going for?
Suni.
Because he's new, and you lot are quite intimidating to start with.
Will you give it a rest?!
Fair enough. Karen, pick a horse.
Er, Nina. Really?
I know, I know.
But she's in with Al,
and if anybody can push you the edge...
But, currently she's very far away from the edge.
I'm not sure she knows where the edge is.
Let her pick Nina.
I mean she won't win - it's down to me and you.
Me, then. In your dreams.
Oh! That file!
I'd forget my head if it wasn't screwed on!
MUSIC DROWNS VOICES
I'll see you another time.
MUSIC DROWNS VOICES
So, I think you did well - largely.
You managed to make a good connection with the eight-year-old
who I wasn't sure was going to open up, but you got her talking,
and the decision to send her to St Phil's to the allergist
was a good one. Thank you.
An allergy test should provide enough clarity
and then they'll know which foods to avoid, or not.
Exactly. Good call. However... Uh-oh.
Yes. Your patient Harvey with feelings of depression...
I felt like you needed to give him a firmer guide.
He didn't want to go down the medication route.
True. But I also didn't feel he was going to take
the self-medication route either.
Um, this has been going on for a couple of years,
so he's not the proactive type.
Look, with depression, it's sometimes prudent
to lead the patient towards a particular course of action.
Right. So, we're going to need to do
a lot of follow-up and keep a close eye.
Um, so I think that next time you should point the patient towards
a particular care provider and schedule the next appointment.
Great. Thanks.
And then, of course...
DOOR SLAMS
Always nice to see you, Mr Shaw.
You mind how you go.
Oh! Honestly! Is there anything worse
than a patient who brings in a list?
At least he used a pleasing font.
I swear, I once had this patient who insisted on using dingbats.
Just a moment.
I just need to write down one more thing.
There. I think that's everything.
Mm. You have a list, too. Yes.
Number one... And it's numbered.
I can do letters, if you prefer.
I think there's enough.
Yes. Less than 26.
Wow! We'd better get cracking, then, eh?
Only two and a half hours before lunch.
Yes. Number one -
I wondered if at times
your manner with the patients was a little informal.
Yes, it is. Well spotted.
Perhaps too informal?
What, do you want me to wear a bow tie and dinner jacket?
No. But while we're on that subject -
is this really a look you should be going for?
Yes, it is. Next question.
Don't you think a GP should maintain a professional relationship?
I'm the most professional person I know.
I don't let society's expectations get in the way of me doing my job.
Well, sometimes you are a little irreverent
with your references to obscure TV shows.
Er, Doctor Who is not an obscure show.
And that reference was especially tailored to Mr Shaw
to help put him at ease.
I wondered if you might have hurried Mr Shaw a little.
Absolutely I did.
He could have booked a double appointment if he seriously thought
he was going to bring in the Magna Carta for me.
And then there's the belly button issue.
Should a medical professional really be telling patients
that belly buttons are weird? But they ARE weird, aren't they?
Really weird and arbitrary -
spawned of a hurried snip in the delivery suite.
I see your point but... Can we not tell patients that?
Is there some kind of cover-up about belly buttons?
No, of course not.
All right. Moving on.
Number two...
Hang on, stop the bus.
That was all one point?
Yes. Number two...
HE SIGHS DEEPLY
KNOCK ON DOOR
Yeah? Hiya. How's it going with Jimmi?
Fine. How's Suni?
Oh, yeah. Well, he... he just walked out
in the middle of his feedback session.
Really? Yeah. Yeah, he just upped and went.
What was his excuse? Er, no idea. But he hasn't come back.
What did you say to him?
Well, I was critical of his approach to one of his patients.
You think he couldn't handle it?
I think he's not long out of training.
He needs to get a tougher skin.
This won't be the first time he has to deal with constructive criticism.
You need to tell him. Yeah.
I've got to find him first. Well, don't sugar-coat it.
It'll be better for him in the long run. Yeah. I'll keep you posted.
Mr Shaw was obsessed by the idea
that his belly button might be weird,
so by informing him that ALL belly buttons are weird
I was making him feel more normal.
And that's surely a good thing, is it not?
All right. Last one.
HE SIGHS
Number 17?
I want to talk about your trainers.
If anything, my trainers make me even more efficient doctor.
But if it means that a patient doesn't trust your judgment
as a medical professional... I'm out. That's it!
YOU'RE the one around these parts who isn't being professional.
Don't be silly. I couldn't be more serious!
This isn't peer review. This is a...a hostage situation.
You're just getting your own back on me
because I said this whole process was patronising and moronic.
You didn't say that. Well, I'm saying it now!
Who are you?
This is insane!
You've halved the number of patients
that I can see this morning. And for what?
Because you think it would be nice if we talked to each other?
It's about peer review and horizontal accountability!
Bl-la-la-la-la! That's what I hear when you talk to me. Bl-la-la!
I feel like I'm in cult!
Who are you? Are you actually even a real doctor?
Hmm? Where did you get this nonsense from?
It's certainly not something that you learnt in medical school!
Who are you?
Anything? No. No gossip.
Shame.
Sid? Mm-hm? How's it going?
Great. I'm really enjoying it, thanks.
I'm with Emma, and we've actually got a lot in common, work-wise.
We've both had to split our GP work with special interests
outside the practice. So, yeah, I think we're on the same page. Great.
Looks like everyone's behaving.
Um, tell Scarlett I'll be back.
QUIET SNIFFING
Everything OK?
Of course. Why wouldn't it be?
Oh, I don't know.
I... I imagine it's stressful being watched.
Oh. I haven't done that yet. I was observing Al.
Oh, right. How did that go?
Mm. Right. Thought so.
So, Al is a brilliant doctor
but he can be a bit narky.
Hmm.
Do you fancy a cup of tea?
No, thanks. I really am fine.
Oh, go on! There's pastries.
And I've worked with Al for donkey's years,
so I could give you a few tips before you go back in.
Actually, tea would be nice.
Hmm.
KNOCK ON DOOR
Yep?
Oh, come in. Thanks for stopping by. Take a seat.
So, um, I wanted to talk to you about earlier.
Mm-hm.
It's important that you can listen to constructive criticism.
I mean, I know that you're not long out of training,
but it needs to become almost like water off a duck's back.
Sorry, I think you might have got the wrong idea.
I thought you'd finished earlier.
Right...
I had a call. My phone vibrated.
Suni, you don't need to... to make excuses.
I'm really not. It was Liz Stanton - you know, from University Welfare.
Mm-hm. Well, I had to run out and I needed to take a call.
See, I'm planning a publicity campaign with her on campus,
targeting mental health support.
Yeah. She needed me to check the proposal.
I did email you about it.
Er, right. Yeah, yeah.
But...benefit of the doubt - yeah, you're right.
Um, I have just come out of training
but I'm fine with criticism.
I've had years of reviews and feedback. It's all part of the job.
OK. OK, well, look, sorry for the misunderstanding.
I... It's all good.
Was there something else?
Yeah, I need to give you your feedback.
Oh, yeah. Yeah, of course.
It's funny when you should talk about listening, actually,
because I think that's something you could work on.
Me? How so?
Sophie Baker. You used the wrong pronoun a couple of times.
Did I? Yeah. Oh. That was a mistake.
Yeah. And then you called them Susie once -
which is their mother's name.
Um, yeah, no, I look after the whole family
so that must have just been a slip of the tongue.
Yeah, sure. Of course. It happens.
Sorry, Daniel, I hadn't finished.
There's just a few more points I need to cover.
But water off a duck's back, right?
So, what happened?
Nothing.
I was giving Al his feedback, and then...
Then it just seemed right to take a time out.
Right. Your idea?
We came to a mutual agreement. Uh-huh.
Al doesn't often agree with people.
He tends to think that his way is best. Mm.
I noticed.
Yeah. And, you know, to be fair,
oftentimes he's right.
Um, but other times...
Um, how long have you lived in Letherbridge?
A while.
Um, a few years back, he got into a very public altercation
with a bus driver, and a lot of people filmed it on their phone.
Mm. That rings bells.
So, his MO is speak first...
..think later.
Or just speak some more.
SHE LAUGHS
Yes!
Al... Oh, he's just not like the other doctors here.
He's... Well, I bet he wouldn't fit in any of the boxes on your form,
which I think is OK, because he's an amazing doctor
with a heart of gold.
But he would deny that to your face
if you asked him about it.
I just wish sometimes that he would keep his big gob shut.
Maybe we just got off on the wrong foot.
Yeah. It'll probably be fine when you go back after lunch.
Yes. I'm sure you're right.
And if you think it's not, then...
..then maybe you could swap with Sid?
No, no. It's fine. It's all fine.
I need to get on.
Thanks for the tea. Oh, you're so very welcome.
So, Suni walked out
but Karen saw him - he was only on the phone.
Mm-hm. Zara's in an annoyingly good mood today,
so I don't think I'll be winning anything.
Karen, anything juicy?
Do you know what? I think that we should stop doing this.
They've got a lot on their plates
and they don't need us making fun of them.
It is a bit of a daft way to carry on, though -
having them all spy on each other.
Maybe. But it is their annual review and it's got to be stressful.
I mean, what if they found out that we're taking bets on them?
Sorry.
Yeah. That's us told.
I'm just saying that I wouldn't like it. Would you?
Ready to talk?
Yeah, absolutely. Just grabbing some caffeine.
Apparently, there's been some friction
in some of the other pairings.
Really? Yes. But, clearly, I can't name names.
No. But I suppose if somebody took exception to their feedback,
it might affect the feedback that they give.
Well, that shouldn't be a problem for a pair of old hands like us.
Hey, less of the old.
Ha! I'll see you in there.
Oof! Thanks, Karen. I appreciate you coming to me.
No problem. Just remember that
if you want to have another of these review days.
Trust me - if we ever do this again,
things are going to be completely different.
KNOCK ON DOOR
Oh, sorry.
Al, no, no, it's fine. Come in. I'm done.
How's your review going?
Oh, this is the best day ever!
And we're only halfway through.
Have you seen Dr Bulsara? Sit down. I'm about to go and get her.
Da-da-da - there's no need for that.
No, it's fine. I need to have a word with the two of you, anyway.
HE SIGHS
Nina.
I'm just getting some air.
Sure. Sure. Can we have a quick word in my office?
Of course. What's it about?
I wanted to talk to you and Al.
Actually, I've just remembered there's a phone call I need to make.
Don't worry, it won't take long.
You do know he's going to find you out here, right?
This is like his second home.
Trust me, it'll be fine.
HE SIGHS
Now, go on, then, Doc - give me the bad news.
Well, being brutally honest...
..I really can't fault you.
You are absolutely spot-on,
which is the way it should be for someone of your experience.
But? No buts.
Your listening and communication skills are superb,
very thorough. Your diagnoses are spot-on.
You have a wonderful manner with patients. All good, I'm afraid.
Oh, well, I guess we're just going to have to live with that, then!
So, my turn. What's my prognosis?
Um, I don't really have much to say either, to be honest with you.
Er, you are an experienced GP. You're at the top of your game.
You're particularly good at keeping patients on track and to the point.
You do well at getting them to trust you and they open up to you.
So, nothing to work on, then?
No. Oh, I did notice that, occasionally, you would
correct a patient's pronunciation.
Really? Mm.
It might cause a block if they think you're looking down on them.
Well, I know that I did it once, but the word was "library"...
It was four. Yeah. Four times in an hour.
Yeah, it was "forehead", "somefink",
"somefink", "medicine".
Four times? Mm. OK, well, er, thank you for that.
It's something that I was not aware of.
It's a small thing, really.
No, no, no. Really, you are right -
I don't want there to be a block between myself and my patients,
so good point.
Good. Are we all done, then?
Yes. I don't know what everyone else was making such a fuss about.
Ha!
"Library."
"Lie-bwy."
"Library."
She keeps patronising me.
Al! Of course I don't do that! She just did it again!
Come on!
And I'm supposed to take advice from HER on how to talk to people?
We're supposed to be taking advise from each other, aren't we?
Please!
Al, is it possible that there might be SOME truth
in ANY of Nina's feedback?
No. These are my patients. They're my people.
I know how best to communicate with them.
And for what it's worth, many of them,
over the years, have told me how much they like my trainers.
Were they wearing trainers as well?
Look, my main objection is that she refuses
to obey by the rules of her own exercise.
She won't let me sit in on her with her patients.
Is that true?
Given the mood Dr Haskey was in... And whose fault was that?
Given his mood, I didn't think it would be constructive.
I thought he'd use it to get back at me.
She ran away. Ran away.
Al!
So...you think you'll find time during afternoon surgery -
if Dr Haskey conducts himself professionally?
Of course.
I am always professional, unlike some people.
Do you think you two could just shake hands and go back to work?
I can.
AL SIGHS
Can I NOT shake hands and go back to work?
No. Shaking hands is compulsory.
DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES
OK, Nina?
I bet you're feeling pretty smug now.
Not at all. No.
I want this process to work as much as anyone.
Well, not quite anyone.
This wasn't even my idea!
How did it go with Suni?
Fine. I think I put him back on track.
Good. And your session with Jimmi?
It was fine, technically.
Was a bit dry.
He allowed some of the patients to go on and on and on -
I nearly nodded off at one point.
Well, you know what, I think we...
I think we all behave differently when somebody's watching.
Maybe he was just being a little bit over-cautious.
I don't know. I hope so.
Just...it was like being in a car with a Sunday driver.
I just wanted to grab the wheel and get moving.
He could do with shutting them up and moving on to the next patient
before we all die of old age and boredom. Honestly!
Hey, how's it going? How's your review?
Five stars in the BMJ.
What? Yeah, don't worry.
Yeah, I'm all done. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt.
Good for you.
We all thought it was going to kick off. Why?
Hmm... It's not nice being watched,
even worse when someone's nit-picking at you.
Oh, it's no big deal.
It's water off a duck's back, some might say. Oh. OK.
You sound disappointed.
Well, if I'm honest,
we had all put bets on who would throw the biggest hissy fit.
I had you down to go to pieces. Hold on. What do you mean?
You just don't seem like you'd have staying power
but maybe I'm wrong. You ARE wrong.
I guess you'll have to prove it.
Mm. Definitely.
I was thinking we should do this again next year.
OK. But maybe we should hear from everybody else first.
Of course. But I think it's strengthening working relationships.
Yeah. I don't disagree.
And we could try and find a way to include the admin staff.
Sid, how did you find today?
Good. Mostly.
Mostly? Yeah.
I really enjoyed seeing how Emma worked.
She made some really useful comments.
Wonderful! Where is she?
Oh, she, er, went home.
Already? Why?
What happened, Sid?
We were really worked up after this morning,
so we went out for lunch to keep talking.
Great. But Emma got upset about something I said,
which I honestly did mean as a compliment.
What did you say, Sid?
I said I thought it was great that she didn't care
whether patients liked her or not Sid! I know.
But I used to really worry about that sort of stuff,
so I thought it was great that she just wasn't that bothered.
She took that as me saying patients don't like her,
and then she got angry,
and then she told that sometimes when I'm with patients
I do puppy eyes.
I don't have puppy eyes, do I?
You OK? No. Um, I had to talk to a patient who wasn't happy
about having an extra doctor in their appointment today.
They thought it looked like
they were more interested in each other than him. OK. That's not good.
Well, I managed to talk him down from doing anything official.
All right. Well done.
Where's Nina, by the way?
No idea.
I knew this would all go wrong.
SHE SIGHS
Well, that was quite a roller-coaster, wasn't it?
No. We are not doing this.
But we promised Bear. And I've made a list.
Number one... No, Dr Haskey! You are being unprofessional.
Number one...
DOOR SLAMS ..slamming doors is impolite.
Number two...
Ooh, do you fancy a glass of fizz in the staffroom before we leave?
Sounds good.
Jimmi, aren't you staying for the debrief?
Er, no. No, I'm worried it might be too boring,
that it might "go on and on" and no-one will stop it
and then we'd "all die of old age".
Um, has someone said something to you?
Yeah, YOU said it, Zara. I heard you.
ZARA LAUGHS
Jimmi, I'm so sorry. I only meant it as a joke.
Yeah. Well, not from where I was standing.
Look, if you have a genuine point to make about how I work,
then maybe you should have brought that up in the review,
not gossiped about it on the back patio.
Icon? Yeah, sure. OK...
Nina, tell me honestly - do I have puppy eyes?
Number two - I keep tripping over your stupid bag.
Perhaps if you didn't wear such silly shoes!
Number three - rude!
Number four - also your stupid bag!
This is a complete mess!
If only you'd just been honest with Jimmi in the feedback session.
That was a private conversation. He shouldn't have been listening.
OK, fine.
Um, we need to talk about how we're going to deal with this.
Number five - your patient Mrs Lidster,
are you aware she's actually frightened of you?
Obviously, today hasn't gone as smoothly as we'd hoped.
Excuse me. Are you listening to me?
This is your feedback, as was requested! Number six...
I think we need to meet first thing
and decide how we're going to tackle this.
I'm sorry, I can't do that.
OK. Tomorrow. What time are you in?
I'm going to be away for the rest of this week.
You're joking!
I booked it ages ago. It's in the calendar.
This needs addressing, so how about an early meeting before you go?
Oh, there's no need for that.
I'm absolutely positive you'll be able to work it out between you.
Have a good evening, and I'll see you all next week.
Hopefully, it'll have calmed down by then.
BABY CRIES
It's a girl!
He humiliated me.
But I want to help, because I am your colleague, I am your friend.
We're not friends.
Nina is going to have to earn my respect.
It's a rather large mountain for her to climb.