Dr Phil Hammond and David Spicer's satire on some of the major issues thrown up by NHS reform. Among the many targets in their sights are the Care Quality Commission, patient records, privatisation, whistleblowing, time wasters and patient participation groups.
Will the NHS be safe in the hands of Pfizer? Why do doctors often look sicker than their patients? Would an NHS executive go private? How are doctors revalidated? What does that actually mean? And is that piece of dry skin on your heel anything to do with the amount you've been drinking lately? These and other questions may well be answered at Polyoaks - the flagship of enlightened West Country General Practice at the forefront of a constantly reforming NHS.
Nigel Planer stars as Dr Roy Thornton and Simon Greenall as his brother Dr Hugh Thornton in a clinic always at odds with itself over diagnoses, funding, clinical commissioning groups, Jeremy Hunt and the ever more dubious commercial activities of their associate TV's Dr. Jeremy (David Westhead), who is still juggling Dictionary Corner, a series of Malpractice suits and forgotten alimony payments.
Episode 4:
Who's Afraid of the CQC? In which the staff at Polyoaks are being assessed by the Care Quality Commission. Will they survive the experience?
Written by Dr Phil Hammond and David Spicer
Directed by Frank Stirling at Unique
A Unique production for BBC Radio 4. Show less