The Minister of Health is due to arrive at St.Swithins for a varicose vein operation, and wants to be treated like any other patient. Worried that an unfavourable impression of the hospital may jeopardise his chances of a knighthood, Loftus removes Bingham from his ward and places Duncan in charge.
By a striking coincidence, a vicar by the name of the Reverend Ian Bridgenorth arrives at the same time for exactly the same operation. The staff mix him up with the Minister of Health, and the vicar finds himself getting the five-star treatment intended for the other man...
A one-joke episode, though not without its amusing moments. Bingham does seem rather wasted here. His big moment comes when he puts the Rev.Bridgenorth in a wheelchair and pushes him to the research unit, believing him to be the Minister of Health.
Joy Stewart shines for once as Sister Fowles, bellowing orders at Nurse Crumpton like an army sergeant-major.
The Minister of Health is seen reading 'Diamonds Are Forever' by Ian Fleming, the film version of which had only gone on release a short time before.
'The Rev.Bridgenorth' is played by the late Robert James, a talented supporting actor who, amongst other roles, played 'Lesterson' in the 'Dr.Who' classic 'The Power Of The Daleks' and a doctor in the 'Steptoe & Son' story 'Upstairs, Downstairs, Upstairs, Downstairs'. Eddie Malin, Hylda Baker's talkative cousin 'Walter' in 'Nearest & Dearest', appears as randy patient 'Mr.Morgan'.
Funniest moment - the confusion about the Ministers' food. The Rev. Bridgenorth is in bed praying. When he opens his eyes he finds his meal has been switched ( by Sandra ), and thinks it to be the work of The Lord!
By a striking coincidence, a vicar by the name of the Reverend Ian Bridgenorth arrives at the same time for exactly the same operation. The staff mix him up with the Minister of Health, and the vicar finds himself getting the five-star treatment intended for the other man...
A one-joke episode, though not without its amusing moments. Bingham does seem rather wasted here. His big moment comes when he puts the Rev.Bridgenorth in a wheelchair and pushes him to the research unit, believing him to be the Minister of Health.
Joy Stewart shines for once as Sister Fowles, bellowing orders at Nurse Crumpton like an army sergeant-major.
The Minister of Health is seen reading 'Diamonds Are Forever' by Ian Fleming, the film version of which had only gone on release a short time before.
'The Rev.Bridgenorth' is played by the late Robert James, a talented supporting actor who, amongst other roles, played 'Lesterson' in the 'Dr.Who' classic 'The Power Of The Daleks' and a doctor in the 'Steptoe & Son' story 'Upstairs, Downstairs, Upstairs, Downstairs'. Eddie Malin, Hylda Baker's talkative cousin 'Walter' in 'Nearest & Dearest', appears as randy patient 'Mr.Morgan'.
Funniest moment - the confusion about the Ministers' food. The Rev. Bridgenorth is in bed praying. When he opens his eyes he finds his meal has been switched ( by Sandra ), and thinks it to be the work of The Lord!