I'm the one who should be apologising to you.
Don't be ridiculous, I was the hugger.
I could always trust my instincts,
but now it's like I'm gaslighting myself.
So you have really never noticed
the alcohol smells of ketones on a diabetics breath before
or just not on guys that look like him?
He needed your help.
It's too...
It's not a heart attack. It's called Broken Heart syndrome.
It can happen at times of high stress.
So, you know, you're going to take a break now.
Well, I'm thinking of taking an indefinite one.
Pupils are constricted.
Pink pills, they were hers. Oh, bullshit they were.
I've seen your record. What was in the fucking pills?
Oi, you need to back off.
You're the one who doesn't know anything about him.
You looked up his file?
He was flagged with a history of drug dealing and violence.
You have made a huge mistake.
LEONIE: Pete, this is Dr. Johnston
from the Health Care Complaints Commission.
Regarding the CICO out of Whitecliffs,
you made comments to a friend of their son's admitting negligence.
Until the review is complete, you'll be suspended from practising.
So you readjusted the tube against direct medical advice.
And then despite having incomplete airway equipment,
you went beyond your scope of practice
to attempt both blind and direct intubation and a surgical airway.
Is that correct?
I guess that pretty much sums it up. Yep.
Dr. Harrod, you state there was a domino effect
of small systemic issues and just good old fashioned bad luck,
but that the clinical care was exemplary.
In the circumstances, yes, that's right.
Even though the video laryngoscope was missing,
the Guedel should have been attempted
and a different scalpel technique used.
No, I said could have been used.
It was identified as an alternate method.
You reported a personal relationship with Peter Emerson, is that right?
I interviewed everyone involved in the case.
I'll take that as a yes.
Have you ever done remote retrieval work, Doctor?
No, but I've done hundreds of intubations,
and never once had to resort to a surgical airway.
Were Peter Emerson's actions reckless?
They saved his patient's life.
Are his decisions ever reckless?
He always wants what is best for the patient.
And commenting on Cameron Archer's mental health history
in front of others, was that best for the patient?
He does the best he can, the same as all of us.
Thanks.
And that concludes our hearing for today.
But the board will reconvene at a later date to deliver our findings.
Uh, what do you say you guys blow off Dubbo,
we'll cancel clinic, and we just fly to the Goldie?
What? And miss the excitement of my professional development meeting.
What have you got, Mira?
Have you got some kind of boring check up or something?
I could lie and say yes, but the sad truth is,
I'm just going to use the simulator.
So how are you feeling?
Like a whale that's been banned from swimming.
Oh. Pretty hot whale.
That's a lie. But thank you, I love you.
Mike Quebec Kilo. Graham speaking.
Hey. Has Pete heard about a decision yet?
I don't know. I haven't seen him.
He's gone fishing with Wayne today,
but he said it could still be a few weeks.
God, it's already been a month.
Sorry to interrupt, folks. That was AMSR.
Apparently an emergency beacon has gone off over Watu Lake,
and we're closest available.
Is anyone hurt? They don't know. They want us to fly over and check.
Any chance we could push clinic by 30?
MIRA: This is RFDS aircraft, Mike Quebec Kilo. Can anyone hear me?
Repeat this is RFDs aircraft, Mike Quebec Kilo. Can anyone hear me?
No response on UHF Channel 40.
It might have been accidentally set off. Wouldn't be the first time.
Unless they're unable to talk.
Wait. I can see a boat.
What's that? Is that... Is that writing?
Really let yourself go since you quit, haven't ya?
Me? You look like Waltzing Matilda.
Well, I've got no one left to impress.
She'll come around.
Oh, yeah? Which one?
Taylor's done with me. Chaya hasn't spoken to me in weeks.
Well, law of averages. Someone has to.
Yeah, I always thought I was a bad partner, flakey brother,
shitty uncle, but I was pretty sure I was a good nurse.
Could have happened to anyone.
Not you.
Huh, you'd thread a bougie through a frog's ass, couldn't you?
Not sure that'd help with the breathing.
I guess you won't have to worry about that now you've quit.
So why have you?
Is it to be a full-time dad, or is it because of the system?
Why can't it be both?
Because the second reason is a bad one.
Oh, well, no offence, mate,
but maybe there's parts of the system you haven't had to deal with.
Sure there are. I'm sure I'll never know what you've had to put up with.
But you said nothing's changed since you've become a doctor.
That's right.
I don't reckon the thousands of people you've saved
would appreciate that, black, white or purple?
New rule: no work talk.
What do you want to talk about then?
Murray Cod or football.
(PHONE RINGS) Wayne speaking.
Hey, it's me. I'm not in labour, don't worry.
Hey, how's the fishing trip going?
Pete's trying his best to ruin it.
Do you guys mind taking a little detour?
There's been an accident on the eastern side of Watu Lake.
How many injuries?
At least one. But we can't get radio contact.
Watu's not easy access. It's an old service trail.
I reckon you'll need a Robbie to get in there.
Well, Menindee is only 15 away. I could give Gazza a call.
We're only set up for a clinic, so Matty's on his way in Delta.
Any chance you could drive in for a look?
Yeah, of course.
Head south around the lake from that trail, it should be a couple of K.
You know, after I got back from med school,
Darren's mum had just died and he was real angry at me.
So I thought it best to let Timmy do what he'd already been doing,
take care of most of the dad stuff, because I didn't want to,
I just thought I stuffed up too much, can't be fixed.
The best thing would be for me to keep my distance.
But all that happened, I wasted five years with him I'll never get back.
Well, you did your best.
No, I should have listened to Timmy when he told me
to get my head out of my arse.
So this is me telling you, get your head out of your arse.
We're the same -
we shut people off when things get too hard.
You know, just while we're giving advice.
Here we go.
Hey. Oh, hey.
We're with the Flying Doctors. I'm Dr. Yates.
This is Pete. He's a nurse. What's your name?
Bruce.
What happened, Bruce?
Hit a log. I flipped out of the boat.
Did you hit your head at all?
Don't worry about me. Just help my kids.
What kids? In the boat.
Yeah. Pete. Yep.
You stay with him. Alright.
Alright, Bruce, I'm just gonna have a little...a little look, mate.
Mind your hand.
Oh.
Hey. I'm Wayne. What's your name?
Regina. That's my brother, Clint.
Did he go in the water? Yeah, he hit his head.
Dad dragged him back in, but he's not talking.
Clint?
Clint, can you hear me?
Where are you hurting, bub?
My ankle. It got caught up. I heard it crack.
Hang tight. I'll give you something for that pain soon, OK?
It's my fault. I forgot the beacon. We were going back for it.
Just an accident, mate.
(GROANS)
Alright.
Is the doctor coming?
You're looking at him.
You from nearby?
Sydney. We're visiting Mum's family.
She here? No, She died a few months ago.
I'm sorry.
Wayne.
His head's OK, but he's got a stick clean through his left upper arm.
How are we looking here?
Unconscious, potential near drowning with airway obstruction.
We'll need to intubate soon. Alright.
Can you give 'em a sitrep? Yeah.
ELIZA: So there's three.
PETE: Yes.
We need blood, O2, warming blankets, and all the hands we can get.
Is there space for a Robbie to land there?
Close enough. Hey, how big is it?
There's a chance we might have to intubate the boy.
Well, we've got Gazza's 66, so big enough.
Alright. See you soon.
Taylor and I will head back.
Graham, can you stay and swap onto Delta?
Their pilot's out of hours soon. Of course.
And Eliza, as soon as it's under control, Pete needs to come out.
He's not covered if anything happens.
(GROANS)
Bruce, Bruce. (GROANS)
Uh. It was hurting.
It's OK. It's OK. You're alright?
You OK?
Stick's come out. There's a lot of blood.
I think it's gone through an artery.
Pressure and tourniquet.
What's going on?
Hold on here, Bruce. Lots of pressure there.
Just gotta get this belt around your arm to stop the bleeding.
Oh, no. Keep the pressure on, Bruce, pressure on.
Ah.
I've got as tight as I can. It's still losing. It must be a vein too.
Clint.
OK. It's alright.
No, that's good. That's what we want.
Pete. There should be sutures in the kit.
Nuh. Not there's not. No, there's not.
Hey, Bruce, you said you went back for bait.
Have you got fishing gear?
Yeah. Tacklebox, orange.
Yep, yep, yep.
MATTY: Monitor, ventilator, portable O2 cylinder,
trauma kit, scoop splints, one unit of blood,
two syringe drivers and a drug set.
ELIZA: OK. Well, all this has to go on the 66.
(ROTORS WHIRR) Hear that? Yep.
(ROTORS WHIRR) That's not a 66. It's a 22.
What does that mean?
It's only got one seat.
Which means you can't take me or even half this gear.
Alright, Bruce, we need to close up this wound to stop the vein bleeding,
and we have to use fishing line to do it.
Is that OK? Do what you got to do. Alright.
Now I've got everything ready, the doc's going to come and do it.
No, no. He needs to stay with my kids.
You're a nurse. You can do it, eh?
Yeah. Yeah.
Alright.
OK. Just move your hand back.
Pull your hand down.
Move it away. That's it.
OK. Alright, this is gonna sting a bit.
Oh, mate, sorry, I can't...
Look, I'm to go get the doc. He'll be right back.
Um, keep pressure on it. The doc will be right back.
No, no, no, no.
Sorry, mate. Sorry. Wait, wait, wait.
Wayne. Can we swap?
I've got fishing line sutures, clean and ready.
Uh, yeah? Yes.
Support his airway. Keep his neck steady, yeah.
Yeah, yeah.
You alright? Yes. Yeah, I'm good. I'm good.
Hey. Hey.
You got the blood? Yep.
Where's Matty with the scoop? We need it for the boy.
We don't have it or Matty.
The helicopter was not quite as advertised.
OK, we'll have to road him out once we tube him.
The girl needs a splint and pain relief.
How far away are the cars parked?
About a K around the lake but it's not easy going.
Are you getting my kids out now?
Yeah. Yeah. We're going to get Clint out of the boat right now, OK?
And just a heads up, I don't think Pete's coping.
Just an ETA when you can, thanks, Gazza.
Oi. That's her.
Who? The RAN, Raylene from Menindee.
The one who saw Timmy?
Let's set peak at six.
Total volume at 450 and respirator 15 to get the CO2 down.
Is he OK?
This is going to help him breathe for now
so we can get him to the hospital.
How's he?
Tachy, but it's a good, strong pulse.
Alright, let's get him to the plane first. He need surgery.
Come on, Bruce. I'll take you up there.
What? No, no. Leave me. Take my son.
Mate, he won't fit on the helicopter,
and he needs someone with him at all times.
Then take my daughter.
You're much more critical than she is, OK, mate.
Are you a father?
Yeah.
Then you know, hey, you know.
Take my daughter, please.
I do know.
I also know they've had a hell of a time
and they're going to need their dad on the other side of this, OK.
Hey, I promise you, I'm not going anywhere
till they get out of here safe and sound.
Bruce...I promise.
Right, what can I do?
Get the splint and morphine to Regina.
Actually, Pete, you're not covered.
Why don't you help Bruce to the helicopter,
and Wayne can help Regina.
Alright, alright.
OK. There you go. Doing good.
(PHONE RINGS) Yep.
Hey, it's me. You OK?
Where are you? I'm at the Menindee airstrip.
You guys said all the hands you could get.
You're 36 weeks pregnant. And you just had a heart attack.
Wasn't a... Is Bruce there yet?
Yep. Matty and Graham are loading him now,
and Leonie has a plane and crew arriving from Port Augusta.
Good. Can we get the Robbie back, please, to pick up the girl.
Doing well, doing well. It's the Troupy there yet?
Yeah, but...
Can it back up to the lake, please. We need to row the boy out.
Yeah, but because we're in Menindee, it's the RAN.
It's Raylene.
What do you want me to do? Do you want me to keep her here?
Or I can just ragdoll her?
All the hands we can get, huh?
Alright, her and Chaya will drive to you now,
and the Port Augusta crew will be here waiting for the girl.
Thanks.
Ah. That pain coming from your tummy?
Yeah. Yeah. Oh.
Oh.
I've got two ambos ready and waiting
and beds and surgical team lined up at Broken Hill Hospital.
Should we go back for the boy? No.
Port Augusta are headed there now, but they've only got one stretcher.
So can you go back for Wayne and the girl? Of course.
Left upper quadrant pain. Pulse is rapid and weak.
I'll swap over the ZOLL.
Gently. You right?
Pete, grab an ETA.
Tell them we need all the cryo and blood they can get.
Yep.
This is just going to help us keep everything stable, Regina, OK.
Why does he have all the tubes on?
I know it looks bad. It's helping him breathe, OK.
BP is 85 systolic, heart rate 120.
I'm going to press gently on your belly, OK.
Here we go.
Oh.
Yeah, there's some bruising there. Could be a splenic bleed.
Let's get a gram of t/x fluid until that blood gets here.
That Robbie left yet?
No, it's out of fuel. Gaz has to wait for the tanker.
Oh, you are kidding me? No.
So do we wait for the helicopter? No.
Tell Mira we need the Port Augusta crew here with blood.
SATs are 96, but BP's dropped to 70 systolic.
We'll give her Metaraminol, try to keep that BP above 80 systolic.
Alright. I've got it, I've got it.
Can you get the legs up a little?
Anything?
No, they must be out of range.
BP is still 78.
Do we have any more fluid?
That's the last of it.
Hang in there, Regina.
Here they are. Quick, quick.
Doing good, doing good. Thank you.
How is she?
This will help.
Thank you for coming.
Regina, This blood is going to make you feel a lot better.
Hey, Wayne, why don't you stay with her, wait for the Robbie?
We'll get him back to the car.
I can stay, too, if that helps.
You're OK. You're OK, love.
BP and heart rate have improved. Mmm.
I know it's not the time or the place, but... I'm sorry.
I'm sorry for your loss.
I'm sorry...
..for everything.
There we go. You'll be on the plane soon, Regina.
You alright?
I totally froze...
..today with the sutures.
Hands wouldn't stop shaking.
It's never happened before.
It's normal to doubt yourself.
We all have moments like that.
Yeah, but I completely shut down.
And it's not normal to keep blowing things up
with every single person you're close to.
It's...
I don't know, isn't it?
BP's up 117 over 72. Heart rate 90.
Looking much better, Regina.
Who did you lose?
Hey?
That nurse said, "I'm sorry for your loss."
Uh, my brother.
I'm sorry.
And you too.
We came out here to be with mum, but...
I'm not sure she was there.
You know, my brother died in...
..a few months ago now,
and when he passed, he had this smile on his face,
like he was seeing mum and dad, like he was going home.
So I reckon your mum's going to be there.
She's just got some catching up to do first, OK.
You know who you are?
Dr. Deadly.
I shouldn't have cut you off.
Well...
..I shouldn't have cancelled the trip without explaining.
Because I... Oh.
Whoa. Are you alright?
Sorry. I'm fine. It's just... It's just another Braxton.
I've had them all day. Just frightened the hell out of me.
Ow! Ow! Oh! Oh! Oh.
Oh, shit. Shit, I think my waters are broken.
Oh. Shit.
The ambulance is held up. How far along are we?
She's already ten centimetres fully effaced.
Ten? Right.
Well, you're the midwife. What do you think?
I think little one's very keen to get here.
We should get moving.
Oh.
Are you alright, Mirs?
Pete? I feel like I want to push.
Wayne, call from Eliza.
Hey, how'd it all end up?
It's me. And it hadn't quite ended, actually.
What's going on?
Well, this time it kind of is labour.
What? PETE: That's it, Mirs. Push, push, push.
Hey, where are you?
We're about an hour from base. The ambulance has been held up.
Where are you? We've only just left Bakerton.
Right. Well, we'll meet you at base.
Can you put Mira on, please? Yeah, yeah. Yeah. Hi.
Hey, I'm coming right now, OK. You're going to be fine. I love you.
I love you, too. Just get back, OK?
PETE: You are doing so well. You're doing so well.
We've got towels to keep it dry and warm, and scissors for the cord.
There's the head coming through. Swain's bubble, right.
Look at the bonce on it.
OK, Mirs, one more push and I reckon you're there.
Big breath. Bear down. OK.
OK. Push, Mirs. Push, Push. (GROANS)
Oh, is she coming?
Yeah. Yeah, she's just... being a bit stubborn.
It's retracted a bit. Are we OK?
It's obstructed. I think it's a shoulder dystocia.
What's wrong?
Nothing. It's fine. We're just figuring it out.
Pete, don't bullshit me.
I've seen that look a thousand times, and it's never good.
What is it? Um...
Because bub's so big and healthy, she's just getting a bit stuck.
But I'm pushing as hard as I can.
It's nothing that you're doing. It's just one of those things.
And now I need you to stop pushing for a bit, OK?
Stop pushing?
Yeah, I know it's hard. The shoulder stuck.
And we don't want to stress bub too much.
You just got to try and breathe through these contractions
until we figure it out.
Um, so... So what do we do? Do we go to hospital?
No, no, no. She's under too much pressure.
She's got to come out now.
How?
Guess what?
# You're going to be a daddy again. You're gonna be a daddy again. #
(LAUGHS)
Wayne. Eliza, how is she?
ELIZA: She's OK, but we're not progressing.
What's going on?
Labor's obstructed. It's a shoulder dystocia.
What?
We're trying a McRoberts manoeuvre but unsuccessful so far.
It's not working, is it?
It's alright. It's alright. We'll try something else.
Wayne.
It's OK. Pete and Eliza are going to look after you, babe.
Where are you now?
I'm not too far away, Mirs. I'll be there as soon as I can.
OK.
Alright, Mira, I'm going to flex your leg up
while Eliza applies more pressure to your lower belly.
So firm suprapubic pressure.
Get that foetal anterior shoulder, alright.
Yep. Good.
Here. OK, we're good?
That's it. Firmer, Eliza, firmer, firmer. Yep.
(CRIES OUT IN PAIN)
(GROANS)
Anything? No. No, not quite.
Come on. Mirs, breathe through it, Mirs.
I know it's really hard
but you've got to do everything you can not to push, OK?
Yeah.
WAYNE: Everything's going to be OK. Alright. You got this.
I don't know if I can.
Yes, of course you can. Mira, you are a boss.
You land 8 million planes on dirt tracks. You have got this.
Uh, Wayne, we've tried everything.
The ambos are still too far away. I don't think there is time to wait.
Do you? No, I don't.
Neither do I.
Do you know what you're doing with a Cleidotomy?
Yeah.
Wait, what? What's that?
In hospital, we would push her back up for a Caesar,
but obviously we can't do that here.
We need to get the baby out now.
What happens if you can't?
She'd be starved of oxygen,
which could cause brain damage or be fatal to you and the bub.
So what do we do now?
We need to narrow the baby's shoulders, right,
and the only way to do that is to fracture the collarbone.
Will it hurt her?
There are risks of injuries, but if it's done right,
it will keep you both alive.
Then do it.
And Pete? Yep.
Whatever happens, I trust you, OK?
I trust you.
(COMMS BEEPS) Wayne. Hello?
Wayne. Oh. (LINE DIES)
Oh, please, please.
Hey. They're with her.
Do you need me for baby or assist?
Both, if you can.
So you push down on the belly here
while I put pressure on the clavicle.
And, Mira... Yeah?
..after this, you're going to meet your little girl.
Promise. OK.
Alright, Eliza. Pressure down.
That's it. That's good. Yeah.
As soon as I do this, push as hard as you want, OK?
Oh. OK, Mirs, last push. Give it everything you got.
That's it. That's it. That's it. Push, push, push, push, push.
Hey.
You OK?
We are now.
Oh, wow.
Hey.
PETE: APGAR's up to eight, improving.
Great colour.
Just that big Yates head, mate, gave us a few issues.
The NATs crew are on their way to take you to NICU
at Adelaide Hospital just in case.
Here. Come here. Thank you.
Thank you.
So have you got a name?
I believe it's pronounced Mat-tee.
Close. It's actually Kalte.
Emu?
Very good.
Beautiful.
Oh.
How's the bubba?
Safe in Adelaide?
Good lung function. Maximum cuteness, apparently.
How are you?
492 days sober.
When I finally left Cairns, it was after this massive weekend
where I kind of turned a friend's birthday drinks
into a whole weekend of drinks because I didn't want to go home.
And I was on a Retrieval the following Monday,
and I asked the pilot why the plane was shaking,
but it turned out it was just me.
Uh, and we got tasked with this kid...
..who was in an, like an abusive situation...
..and I was just useless.
So I sobered up pretty quick after that,
and I promised myself I'd never drink again.
I'm sorry.
It really drags you back into it out here.
I dragged myself back.
And I was I was starting to enjoy Retrievals again.
Yeah.
Difference was just, you know, everything else was solid,
and then all the stuff with Cameron and Taylor and you.
Now I'm questioning my choices.
I'm sorry.
I just stuffed up and...
It's not an excuse, but...
..the truth is, I reacted the way I did with Cameron
because he reminds me of my brother, how he used to be and...
..I was scared for Taylor and angry with her dad,
like, really bloody angry.
But you're right, I don't know where to put it,
so I just bury it,
and it just ends up hurting the people I care most about...
..like you.
Have you said this to Taylor?
No, not yet.
Geez it'd be a shame not to crack that 500.
Do you want to get rid of it? Yeah, give it here.
Graham'll give it a good home.
To life. To new life.
Yes. To insanely genetically blessed new life.
And to those who save them.
Like you. Me? What did I do?
Are you kidding?
That was like the Mona Lisa of Ops Management today.
It was just process.
Process put in place by you
with extreme effort systematically under huge pressure over months,
during a bloody challenging time and ultimately saving multiple lives.
I forgot to tell you, I got you something.
I called every strip between here and Cameron's Corner and no luck.
But then I found this 3D printing place online, and...
It's not a Nomad, sorry, but...
(MAKES PLANE SOUNDS)
And these instincts...
..do we trust them?
Absolutely no idea.
Cold? Oh. Oh, yeah.
How are you feeling?
Good. It's like I've arrived at my own funeral.
Thanks for coming.
Don't be silly. Of course we did.
You ready? Nope.
Before we make our final determination
on Mr. Emerson's licence,
there has been a request to hear some external character references.
Is that ready to go?
Thank you.
Um...Pete Emerson is stubborn and can be impulsive
and sometimes quite pigheaded, if I'm honest.
But he dedicates his life to caring for some of the most vulnerable,
isolated people in the country.
But of course, I would say that, I'm his niece.
So I'll let those people speak for themselves.
MAN: Pete transported my wife Sharon for eight rounds of chemo,
and when it got close to the end, he organised a trip.
Sorry.
He organised a trip for our whole family to fly 900 k's
to go to the beach together one last time,
and we will never, ever forget it.
When I fractured my leg, mustering, Pete patched me up...
Pete's the kind of guy comes out to fix your busted head
and brings you a newspaper.
He knew within seconds my appendix had ruptured.
He rushed me straight to Theatre.
I named my son Pete
because Pete delivered him mid-air on the way to the hospital,
and I don't think I've ever been so terrified in my life.
I mean, the fact that I named my son after him
is probably all you need to know.
My heart gave out 18 times in that flight, and Pete gave me CPR.
Non-responsive. Pete was the one who resuscitated him.
He's like a bloody dog with a bone.
He doesn't leave you alone until he...
I would've died if he wasn't there. Simple as that.
I don't even know where to start with Pete.
He...
Oh, God, I'm crying already.
Upon examining the evidence
and internal Critical Incident Review findings,
plus the testimony of colleagues and patients,
we have decided that Peter Emerson's nursing registration
will be suspended for a minimum period of six months,
and mandatory skill and professional standards retraining to be undertaken
before it is reinstated.
Oh, buddy.
We can appeal this, though, right? Can't we?
Absolutely.
Are you OK? Yeah, I'm alright.
It's probably a good time for me to sort a few things out anyway,
I reckon.
You shouldn't have been put in that position.
Whatever you need, we're here, OK?
Everyone did the best they could with what they had at the time.
Oi, come here.
Don't thank me. It didn't work.
It was awesome.
I don't give a shit what they think about me.
I just care what you do.
Well, Chaya is the one who drove and filmed them all with me.
Really? Alright. Well, sounds like I owe everyone a drink, then.
Yes, you do. And everyone's coming. No excuses, alright.
So pump your milk and line your stomachs and insert your IVs.
Right, come on. My shout now that you're unemployed.
So are you.
Oh, you never know.
Actually, it's on me.
Unfortunately, I'm on call, so set up a tab.
You beauty. I regret it already.
So I'll see you around then, eh?
Yeah. See you around.
(PHONE RINGS)
RFDS, Dr. Harrod speaking.