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12 Episodes 2005 - 2005
Episode 1
52 mins
Happy's home life appears to be in crisis and it's rubbing off at work. His mood is not helped by having to inform a leading medical research laboratory that MDA won't be indemnifying a human drug trial they have planned. But when Happy meets the charismatic director of the laboratory, Dr Robyn Masterson, and hears her dynamic presentation, he has a change of heart. Amanda also becomes involved with the research lab when she has to defend one of the medical researchers, Dr Julia Delvecchio from a negligence claim. Julia is having problems at the lab, as does her co-worker, PhD student, Luke Rodman. Amanda decides to take the case to court, despite being uncertain of how Julia will cope with the pressure. Robyn introduces Happy to her patient, the engaging but desperately ill teenager, Belinda McRoberts. Belinda is to be the first recipient of Robyn's new drug, which, it is hoped, will save her life. Robyn persuades Happy to assist in her presentation to the university ethics committee to get the approval required for the trial to begin. Impressed with Robyn's groundbreaking work, Happy becomes increasingly dissatisfied with his life and especially with his work at MDA. He surprises everyone when he buys a motorcycle. The phrase 'mid-life crisis' hangs in the air. After deciding to back Robyn's drug trial, Happy spends more time at the lab. Amanda is forced to take responsibility for the day-to-day running of MDA, at the same time as she is trying to defend a distressed Julia. The ethics committee decides to reserve approval of Robyn's planned trials until further results are obtained. Although not the outcome she was hoping for, it is good enough for Robyn to continue with her plans. However, when there is a break-in at the lab and the rats are released from their sterile cages, the viability of her entire project is at risk.
Episode 2
55 mins
Julia Delvecchio is concerned that the break-in at the lab has compromised the team's work, but Robyn is determined it will not force any delay in the trial on Belinda. The teenager is due to receive the experimental drugs before a kidney transplant operation and Robyn instructs her team not to tell anyone about the incident. After spending more time with Julia, Amanda and Jamie become increasingly concerned that Julia will not be a good witness. When Julia subtly refers to concerns about Robyn's methods and problems at the lab, Amanda takes an interest. Happy and Robyn have dinner at her apartment, where business talk segues into matters more personal and Happy drinks more than he should. The resultant hangover leaves Happy in no state to deal with Amanda's concerns about Julia and the research lab. Any doubts Happy may have had about the lab are put behind him when the ethics committee finally gives its approval for the trial to proceed. Julia is distressed, but Robyn is jubilant and accepts Happy's invitation to celebrate. Worried by Julia's non-arrival at court, Amanda goes to her house and finds Julia has attempted suicide. Desperate, Amanda does her best to save Julia.
Episode 3
53 mins
The fallout from Julia Delvecchio's attempted suicide is felt not only at the lab but in the offices of MDA. Convinced that there is much more to Julia's story than she let on, Amanda again raises her doubts over Professor Robyn Masterson. When Happy still refuses to listen, Amanda sets about unravelling the mystery for herself. Setting Jamie the task of examining the test data from Robyn's lab, she is surprised when he finds remarkable similarities in the test results. Could this be a case of medical fraud? More fuel is supplied when Amanda visits Julia in hospital. The drug trial begins and the positive impact on Belinda is immediately obvious. It really is a wonder drug. But when her mother is no longer a suitable organ donor, a personal secret is revealed. Unable to sit on her discoveries any longer, Amanda reveals to Happy her suspicions about a break-in and the suspected research fraud. Despite observing that all Amanda has is hearsay, Happy raises the questions with Robyn.
Episode 4
52 mins
In the final chapter of MDA: Second Chance, Happy is forced to make a decision that threatens both Robyn's career and Belinda's future. Just when Belinda's kidney transplant looks like it will go ahead, Robyn is hit with a sexual harassment complaint brought by Luke Rodman. Given her relationship with Happy, Robyn seeks legal assistance from Amanda, which places considerable strain on the MDA team. Unaware of the potential crisis facing Robyn, Belinda and her biological father, Joel, bond in preparation for the kidney transplant. Amanda's conciliation hearing between Luke and Robyn does not go well and Robyn's protestations of innocence are unconvincing. When negotiations break down completely, Amanda hears further damning evidence regarding Robyn's behaviour. Amanda reveals to Happy that Luke has accused Robyn of tampering with the test results. Following this up, Happy visits Julia in recovery, and she confirms Luke's accusations. With Belinda's transplant about to go ahead, Happy has to inform Robyn that MDA is refusing indemnity. And without indemnity there can be no operation. It's potentially catastrophic for Belinda - and forces Happy to face up to his actions.
Episode 5
In Departure Lounge, Vince Colosimo stars as an anaesthetist whose suspicions are raised by the high rate of infant deaths within his own hospital. Does he blow the whistle on his boss and risk his own career? Dr Andrew Morello joins MDA as a medical case manager, to fill in for Jamie, who is on holiday. Amanda and Happy are impressed with him but concerned by his heavy workload as an anaesthetist at Norwood Hospital, where he has recently begun work. MDA defends Dr Ted Walsh, an elderly anaesthetist who also works at Norwood Hospital. He is being sued by a patient claiming permanent nerve damage as a result of a botched epidural. When Andrew's role as adviser on the case is called into question over a potential conflict of interest, he argues that his objectivity has not been impaired, and is able to assist Amanda to prepare for Ted Walsh's defence. In doing so, Andrew also learns of the chance to participate in some specialised surgery with Mr Rupert Carr. Carr is a leader in heart surgery on infants, and Andrew relishes the chance to work with such a high profile surgeon. At his first major cardiac operation with Mr Carr, Andrew is shocked at how long the surgery takes. When Andrew questions him, Carr castigates, him explaining that the infant, Ryan Jacovic, had particularly difficult anatomy. When the baby subsequently dies, Andrew's concerns increase. Meanwhile, Amanda is concerned by Ted Walsh's response to the writ against him. Gabrielle Bromley's client claims Ted was impaired when he performed the epidural. When Amanda tries to question Ted he reacts angrily and demands that Happy takes over his case.
Episode 6
51 mins
Dr Andrew Morello doesn't know where to turn in this week's episode of MDA: Departure Lounge. Ted Walsh, recovering from his surgery, hints that Andrew is not the only one to have concerns about Mr Carr, but nobody is prepared to go public. Preoccupied with trying to find the evidence he needs, Andrew is not at MDA as much as he should be. He is not there when a writ arrives naming him in the death of a patient at his previous hospital. When Andrew arrives at MDA, Happy questions him about the case in which, it is alleged, a young Aboriginal boy, Jye Foster, died as a result of receiving the wrong blood type from Andrew. Andrew doesn't deny the accusation. Happy has to deal with the tough-talking plaintiff's lawyer, Jim Crombie, and knows this is going to be a daunting case. Andrew is convinced that Carr is incompetent but what can he do? When another neo-natal heart operation is slated for the next day, Andrew falsely diagnoses that the baby has an infection, delaying the operation while he seeks advice from Happy. Happy explains that whistleblowing on Carr means Andrew will almost certainly be hit with a defamation claim and a reputation that will destroy his career. Andrew's primary concern, though, is for the babies who are dying. When Andrew reveals his conundrum to his wife, Lucy, she also counsels caution. She's distressed about the Jye Foster case re-emerging, and a failed IVF is also adding to her turmoil. Andrew, however, feels obliged to take some action. Baulking at attacking Carr directly, he talks to the parents of Ryan Jacovic and suggests they should see a lawyer. He advises the parents of another baby awaiting an operation to take their child to another hospital. Will his circuitous approach succeed in bringing Carr down?
Episode 7
53 mins
Concerned that Andrew's hospital commitments are too onerous for him to also serve MDA's needs, Happy recalls Jamie from his holiday. Andrew arrives for work and is shocked to be told his services are no longer required. Andrew suspects the Jye Foster case has something to do with Happy's decision. Just as Happy is about to leave for a fact-finding trip, Jamie shares some interesting information-in Andrew's initial report on the death of Jye Foster, he fails to acknowledge that the nursing staff must also be at fault, as they would have been handing him the blood. When Happy talks with the nurses named in the report, one of them mentions a previously missing name-Lucinda Baxter. Happy realises this must be Andrew's wife, Lucy. There has been a cover-up. Jamie learns that not only is there going to be a coronial inquiry into the death of the infant Ryan Jacovic, but that Andrew was the one who suggested it to the parents. When Andrew reveals his concerns about Carr, Jamie is unsure how best to advise, but he does have a suggestion that will take the pressure off Andrew in the Jye Foster case-name the nurse who was at fault. Happy confronts Lucy about the Jye Forster case and she breaks down and confesses her involvement. Andrew's honesty is now in question, as he has lied on medical records. Things just seem to be going from bad to worse for Andrew and Lucy. They're having no success conceiving a child; Andrew's credibility is in question, and Lucy's worst nightmare has resurfaced.
Episode 8
52 mins
In the final episode of Departure Lounge, Happy announces that Andrew will have to contribute a large amount towards the settlement of the Jye Foster case, as he put MDA in a difficult negotiating position. While Carr and other senior staff at the hospital appear to have accepted Andrew's actions with some tolerance, he knows that if he openly challenges Carr it will put him off side. Lucy is anxious that he doesn't do anything more to jeopardise his career but Andrew fears for the fate of any infants who come under Carr's knife. Andrew turns to Jamie for advice on how to attack Carr. In Jamie's view, the only course of action is to take his complaint to the Medical Board, in which case his actions will be out in the open. Jamie believes this course of action will be career suicide. Andrew is on the verge of backing off when another baby needing heart surgery comes to Norwood Hospital and Carr is assigned to operate. Andrew now feels compelled to pursue his complaint. Furious, Carr turns to MDA for representation and is reassured by Happy that despite Andrew's previous association with MDA, they will give Carr a robust defence. At MDA, Jamie comes across evidence that is damning of Carr. Carr's mortality rates are much worse that the national average and if this information is revealed to the Medical Board it will sink Carr. MDA is in a difficult situation. It seems clear to them that Carr is not competent, but as he is their member they can't present damaging evidence. At the pre-hearing before the medical tribunal, Andrew puts his case. But the evidence of his key witness, Ted Walsh, is dismissed. Ted's not mentally fit due to his brain tumour. However, the chair of the tribunal asks for comparative stats, and Carr is shattered when he sees that his results are so much worse than the other surgeons in his field. He's convinced to resign. Andrew is vindicated and returns to work, but despite his success he's a pariah. No-one likes a whistleblower.
Episode 9
53 mins
Rushed to the busy outer suburban hospital of Prospect Valley suffering from an angina attack, Happy meets the young intern Dr Liz Gibson, and is impressed with her treatment. When Liz finds herself the subject of a medical negligence writ, she is refused support by hospital administrator, Meg Morrison, who seems to be in league with Liz's boyfriend, Dr Tim Whitney. Liz turns to MDA and is surprised to discover that Happy not only works for her medical indemnity organisation but that he will be her case manager. Accused of failing to properly diagnose a patient's abdominal aneurysm, Liz reveals to Happy the struggles she has to face at Prospect Valley Hospital. Amanda meets her match in David Simpson, the Deputy Commissioner of the Health Review Board. While they are in opposition in court, in private Amanda and David strike up a passionate relationship, which threatens to interfere with their professional lives. MDA appears to have succeeded in defending Liz, until a shattering new accusation is levelled against her. She fails to ask a simple question that would have saved a man's life.
Episode 10
53 mins
Things seem to be going from bad to worse for Dr Liz Gibson as the Health Review Board launches a new inquiry into her competence relating to her treatment of a patient who she failed to question properly. Amanda begins to have her own doubts about Liz's competence, but Happy continues to support the young intern. Amanda suspects his judgement is clouded by misplaced paternalism. Jamie and Layla interview staff members at Prospect Valley Hospital and uncover stories of understaffed, unsatisfactory supervision and other systemic failures. Prospect Valley appears to be a hospital in crisis and the suspicion develops that Dr Liz Gibson is being made a scapegoat to cover up more serious issues. But who would want to do this and why? Liz treats local former Olympian, Sarah Livingston, who believes she may be suffering a form of deep vein thrombosis. Liz, however, suspects her symptoms have a different cause and forces Sarah to face up to past actions. Amanda and Happy clash several times over the best way to handle Liz's case. Happy's stress levels increase and he suffers continuing chest pains, which he tries to hide. At the Health Review Board, Amanda and Happy find Deputy Commissioner David Simpson is antagonistic. Having already heard one case against Dr Liz Gibson, he is not impressed to have to deal with her again. When MDA's planned defence strategy appears to be failing, Amanda changes tactics and attacks the hospital administration and senior staff at Prospect Valley Hospital. It puts her in direct conflict with David Simpson, who is revealed to be conspiring with Meg Morrison to sacrifice Liz. When a young woman is found dead in the hospital toilets, the hospital's woes are suddenly front page news, courtesy of photos leaked to the press.
Episode 11
52 mins
Following the death of patient Fiona Murphy, the press launch an attack against the staff of Prospect Valley Hospital, in particular Dr Liz Gibson's boyfriend Dr Tim Whitney. When Liz reveals to Tim in private that the patient came in and spoke to her the day before she died, Tim takes this information to MDA. If he wasn't the first doctor to 'treat' Fiona Murphy, he can't be held responsible for her death. Happy and Amanda disagree over whether this defence should be used. Amanda's view is that everything must be done by MDA to defend Tim who is also one of their members. Happy argues there is a possible conflict of interest so Amanda has to arrange for Tim to be represented by another lawyer. Liz discovers it was her old foe, Nurse Chloe Davis (Jacinta Stapleton), who was the source of the photos leaked to the press. When management is informed, Chloe is dismissed, putting further pressure on the hospital as the Nurses Union threatens industrial action. Amanda and Happy argue about the best way to defend Liz. When Happy discovers that Amanda has been talking to Tim, he is furious. She is no longer Tim's case manager so why is she still seeing him? The tensions between Happy and Amanda appear to exacerbate Happy's angina. The State Health Minister became further embroiled in the growing storm at Prospect Valley and the pressure is applied to reinstate Nurse Chloe Davis. Layla uncovers dodgy financial juggling at the hospital, and Happy realises the implications. Happy is under pressure from all sides. Meg Morrision lays the dilemma at his feet, and his defence of Liz is bringing him into increasing conflict with Amanda. The stress becomes too great and the heart attack that has been looming for some time, finally strikes.
Episode 12
49 mins
In the final episode of MDA, Happy is hospitalised after his heart attack and Dr Liz Gibson again has to front the Health Review Board. Despite his condition, Happy still wants to play a part in Liz Gibson's defence, especially since Dr Tim Whitney has tried to shift blame over Fiona Murphy's death. When Tim takes the stand, Amanda clashes with Deputy Commissioner David Simpson over the admissibility of previous cases, but loses the debate. Liz's case looks grim, as does the future of Prospect Valley Hospital. Despite Liz being hit with a proposed two-year suspension from the Health Review Board, hospital administrator Meg Morrison offers Liz her job back in return for her compliance. Conferring with Amanda, Liz wonders how Meg can make such an offer. They conclude that David Simpson and the Minister must be behind it. Mark Matthews feeds Happy some intriguing information regarding the Health Minister. Knowing that it might just hold the key, Happy slips from his hospital bed and heads back to his office to investigate. He finally finds the damning evidence he is searching for-but it is strictly confidential. Amanda solves the problem by hinting to David Simpson that there's damaging gossip about the Minister for Health. The next day all is revealed about the Minister's past and he is forced to resign. As a result of these revelations, the competence of the Health Review Board is called into question and its recent decision reversed, but there are repercussions.