S1 • E1
In turn-of-the-century London, the staff of the London Hospital treat a variety of patients. It was also one of the first hospitals to use anesthetics regularly. With little in the way of health and safety regulations, they must deal with the victims of industrial accidents including one worker who suffers terrible burns. They also treat a large number of injured following what is believed to be a bomb explosion while the police push their way in and insist on questioning the patients. The hospital allows the investigation to go forward even though it turns out to have been unnecessary. For nurse Ada Russell, her demeanor and ability to make difficult decisions soon see her put into the receiving room as the senior nurse. After misapplying an anesthetic resulting in the death of a young boy, the hospital makes a decision about specialist anesthetists.
S1 • E2
Sister Ada Russel has her first day as the head of the Receiving Room. Nurse Ethel Bennett is informed by the Matron that she is being transferred from the Receiving Room to the private care service. Bennett isn't too keen, but has little choice and accuses Ada of trying to get rid of her. A patient who attempted suicide is soon carted away and charged by the police. A patient in for the removal of a cancerous testicle loses all feeling in his legs, possibly a reaction to the use of a local sedative, Stovaine. He was Mr. Dean's patient and Nurse Laura Goodley reports that others of Dean's patients have suffered the same fate or even died but can't get her supervising Sister to do anything, so she writes the Matron a letter. The Matron and Dr. Holland act quickly. A young boy has seemingly lost all feeling and the use of his right arm.
S1 • E3
The hospital continues to deal with what appears to be a never-ending flood of patients. Among those are new immigrants who, in an attempt to better their lives, flock to London. The result for the hospital is having to treat the diseases they bring with them. A case in point is a young boy admitted with polio, which is non-existent in the UK. The boy is brought in by Saul Landau, an atheist and a socialist who himself is admitted with a rare condition. As an atheist, he objects to being admitted to the Jewish ward but soon takes an interest in Nurse Laurey Goodley. She in turn is quite taken with him as well and is intellectually awakened by some of the socialist tracks he has written. Meanwhile, Dr. Holland takes a special interest in Dr. Ingram when he learns who his influential father is.
S1 • E4
The hospital finds itself invaded by a group of anti-vivisectionists and the object of a well-orchestrated letter writing campaign against the hospital's research practices. Mr. Holland is worried about how the charitable institution will continue should donations decline substantially. The hospital treats a woman who appears to be poor and attempted suicide. The suicide attempt was real but the woman it turns out is a well-known stage entertainer, Grace Barnes. Dr. Head gladly treats her as he has his own theories about mental incapacity and its effect on physical ailments. He also decides to experiment on himself. Nurse Nellie Bowers, a probationer who feels somewhat out of place at the London, has a secret that may force her to leave the hospital and the nursing profession altogether.
S1 • E5
The receiving room doctors treat a woman who has obviously tried to terminate her pregnancy, very much an illegal act in 1909 England. Dr. Culpin is sympathetic despite the legalities of the situation and Sister Ada Russell takes an interest in the woman's well-being. Nurse Ethel Bennett rushes off to a Naval hospital where her brother is recovering from an appendicitis operation he underwent in South Africa. What she finds there is filth, malnourishment and a lack of modern facilities and medicines that is shocking given the sacrifice these men have made for their country. Matron Eva Luckes thinks she has a solution not only to the problem of the Naval hospital but for Nurse Laura Goodley who, as her assistant, feels she is no longer working in the profession she loves but is now essentially a clerk in the Matron's office. Dr. Head continues his experiment with interesting results. Dr. Dean's addiction to cocaine is well-known throughout the hospital and it is clear that it is affecting his work. Dr. Fenwick decides to help him overcome his affliction.
S1 • E6
Mr. Dean has overcome his addiction to cocaine and returns to work. Unfortunately, he loses his nerve in the middle of an operation leading Mr. Holland and Mr. Fenwick to suspect that he may have suffered permanent damage. Sister Ada Russell continues helping a single mother with several children but the long hours are taking its toll and she is late for her shift in the receiving room. Matron Luckes admonishes her and suggests she re-examine her priorities but Ada is clearly questioning the choices - spinsterhood, no children - that come with being a nurse. They face a major emergency when a fire breaks out in a nearby sweat shop that employed children. When Dr. Culpin authorizes nurse Bennett to perform a procedure it brings the ire of the Matron and a clash that may be insurmountable.
Eva Luckes
Ada Russell
Millais Culpin
Sydney Holland
Ethel Bennett
Henry Percy Dean
Dr. Harry Ingrams
Hurry Fenwick
Hospital Steward
Nurse Ansett