Surgical Spirit (TV series)

Surgical Spirit is a British television sitcom starring Nichola McAuliffe and Duncan Preston that aired from 14 April 1989 to 7 July 1995. It was written by Annie Bruce, Raymond Dixon, Graeme Garden, Peter Learmouth, Paul McKenzie and Annie Wood. It was made for the ITV network by Humphrey Barclay Productions for Granada Television. In January 2022, Forces TV started showing all 50 episodes of Surgical Spirit, while the first two series were made available on BritBox in April 2022.[1]

Surgical Spirit
GenreSitcom
Created byPeter Learmouth
Written byAnnie Bruce
Raymond Dixon
Graeme Garden
Peter Learmouth
Paul McKenzie
Annie Wood
Directed byDavid Askey
John Kaye Cooper
StarringNichola McAuliffe
Duncan Preston
Marji Campi
Theme music composerDavid Cullen
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series7
No. of episodes50
Production
Executive producersHumphrey Barclay
Andy Harries
David Liddiment
Al Mitchell
David Shanks
Antony Wood
ProducerHumphrey Barclay
Production locationsLister Hospital,
Stevenage, Hertfordshire
Running time30 minutes
(including commercials)
Production companiesHumphrey Barclay Productions
Granada Television
Release
Original networkITV
Original release14 April 1989 (1989-04-14) 
7 July 1995 (1995-07-07)

Plot

The series was based around Sheila Sabatini, a senior surgeon at the Gillies Hospital, whose verbal skills have most people running for cover as her tongue is as sharp as her scalpel. She dominated the operating theatre, while at home she was divorcing her Italian husband, Remo, with whom she had a son, Daniel. Sheila was also a gossip, often gossiping with her best friend, theatre administrator Joyce Watson.

One of the major themes in the programme was her developing relationship with Jonathan Haslam, the anaesthetist. At the end of the sixth series, they married and she had become director of surgery, while her son had become a medical student at the hospital, much to her annoyance.

Cast

Production

The outside shots were of Lister Hospital in Stevenage, Hertfordshire.

Cancellation

Granada Television decided to decommission the programme after the conclusion of the seventh series.

Episodes

Series overview

Series
SeriesEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
1614 April 1989 (1989-04-14)19 May 1989 (1989-05-19)
2727 April 1990 (1990-04-27)8 June 1990 (1990-06-08)
374 January 1991 (1991-01-04)15 February 1991 (1991-02-15)
4614 February 1992 (1992-02-14)20 March 1992 (1992-03-20)
5719 February 1993 (1993-02-19)2 April 1993 (1993-04-02)
6107 January 1994 (1994-01-07)11 March 1994 (1994-03-11)
7726 May 1995 (1995-05-26)7 July 1995 (1995-07-07)

Series 1 (1989)

No.
overall
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
11"The Lecture"John Kaye CooperPeter Learmouth14 April 1989 (1989-04-14)[2]
Surgeon Sheila Sabatini is called in to give a lecture, but wishes to travel to France to visit her son, her only option is to coax her colleague, Doctor Haslam into doing it for her.
22"The Locum"John Kaye CooperPeter Learmouth21 April 1989 (1989-04-21)[3]
A Doctor is away on holiday, Locum Doctor Olsen steps in, and causes chaos.
33"Joyce's Ulcer"John Kaye CooperPeter Learmouth28 April 1989 (1989-04-28)[4]
Joyce suffers an ulcer and desperately needs an all-important operation, she has a reason for not wanting it done on The Ward.
44"The Country, Right or Wrong"John Kaye CooperPeter Learmouth5 May 1989 (1989-05-05)[5]
After pressure from Joyce and realising that she is antagonising her fellow surgeons even more than usual, Sheila decides she needs a small break and asks Jonathan if she can join him on his weekend fishing trip in the country. However, the weekend doesn't quite live up to either of their expectation
55"Fame"John Kaye CooperPeter Learmouth12 May 1989 (1989-05-12)[6]
Hope Wynne has his face in The Daily Mail, Sheila has to go one better.
66"Sammy Eldridge"John Kaye CooperPeter Learmouth19 May 1989 (1989-05-19)[7]
Neil Copeland has a painting in a gallery, and a face from Sheila's past ends up on the Ward.

Series 2 (1990)

No.
overall
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
71"Cold Cuts"David AskeyPeter Learmouth27 April 1990 (1990-04-27)[8]
Hospital Domestic Lily is about to lose her job, her cause is taken up by Sheila.
82"The Copeland Affair"David AskeyPeter Learmouth4 May 1990 (1990-05-04)[9]
The staff are unhappy working with new colleague Katie, they want to move her on, the trouble is she's having an affair with one of The Senior Consultants.
93"Educating Daniel"David AskeyPeter Learmouth11 May 1990 (1990-05-11)[10]
Sheila is thrown when her son Daniel turns up at one of her lectures, having fled from School.
104"Doubting Thomas"David AskeyPeter Learmouth18 May 1990 (1990-05-18)[11]
Sheila's locum Thomas makes an error during an operation, it puts a spanner in the works for all the consultants that have private work.
115"The Phone Call"David AskeyPeter Learmouth25 May 1990 (1990-05-25)[12]
Sheila gets an unexpected telephone call from her estranged husband, Jonathan buys a new car from a flirtatious dealer.
126"The Garden Party"David AskeyPeter Learmouth1 June 1990 (1990-06-01)[13]
Sheila is invited to meet The Queen, she wants to invite Jonathan, but he has his sights set on watching England play Australia at The Oval.
137"Something in the Air"David AskeyPeter Learmouth8 June 1990 (1990-06-08)[14]
Simon is about to get married, to a fellow professional, much to Jonathan's disapproval. Joyce is perturbed when she's given an efficient Junior.

Series 3 (1991)

No.
overall
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
141"The Holiday Job"David AskeyPeter Learmouth4 January 1991 (1991-01-04)[15]
Daniel takes up a job in the hospital, but the lines between son and subordinate blur.
152"Only a Roach!"David AskeyPeter Learmouth11 January 1991 (1991-01-11)[16]
The Hospital suffers a very nasty infestation problem, cockroaches, and only Sheila will deal with them.
163"Making News"David AskeyPeter Learmouth18 January 1991 (1991-01-18)[17]
Sheila appears on a live TV show opposite a Surgeon from a Private Hospital to discuss the issues of alcohol and smoking, her remarks lead to outrage in the Press.
174"The Folks on the Hill"David AskeyPeter Learmouth25 January 1991 (1991-01-25)[18]
Sheila decides to raise funds for the children's ward, a charity fun run is arranged.
185"Close to the Edge"David AskeyPeter Learmouth1 February 1991 (1991-02-01)[19]
Sheila is concerned that her colleague Quentin is suffering some mental health issues, despite her colleagues being oblivious.
196"The Earth Trembles"David AskeyPeter Learmouth8 February 1991 (1991-02-08)[20]
Jonathan asks Sheila out, but she has a prior engagement with Joyce, Jonathan takes an old friend out.
207"The Rover's Return"David AskeyPeter Learmouth15 February 1991 (1991-02-15)[21]
Jonathan has developed a friendship with colleague Annie, much to Sheila's annoyance, her problems worsen when Remo arrives.

Series 4 (1992)

No.
overall
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
211"The Mating Game"David AskeyPeter Learmouth14 February 1992 (1992-02-14)[22]
Giles has the idea of playing music during surgery, with the idea of keeping everyone relaxed.
222"Joyce's Little Turn"David AskeyPeter Learmouth21 February 1992 (1992-02-21)[23]
A box containing pethidine goes missing, sending Joyce into a blind panic.
233"The Son also Rises"David AskeyPeter Learmouth28 February 1992 (1992-02-28)[24]
Daniel is on his half term break, he plans to stay with new girlfriend Nina, trouble is she has complications.
244"Oh, Happy Day"David AskeyPeter Learmouth6 March 1992 (1992-03-06)[25]
A position has come up at The Whitcliff, and Sheila wants it, a social gathering event gives her the chance to pitch for it.
255"The Fence"David AskeyPeter Learmouth13 March 1992 (1992-03-13)[26]
Sheila gets mugged, and is surprised when her belongings start appearing on the hospital ward.
266"Wanderlust"David AskeyPeter Learmouth20 March 1992 (1992-03-20)[27]
Sheila is set to give a lecture in Australia, Jonathan is eternally jealous.

Series 5 (1993)

No.
overall
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
271"Congratulations!"David AskeyPeter Learmouth19 February 1993 (1993-02-19)[28]
Jonathan and Sheila are now officially dating, but he is irritated with her for taking on more work.
282"Sheila's Baby"David AskeyPeter Learmouth26 February 1993 (1993-02-26)[29]
Sheila's appointed a new house surgeon, her protege Jamila Banergee, she's highly intelligent, but is she suited to surgery?
293"The Right Man for the Job"David AskeyPeter Learmouth5 March 1993 (1993-03-05)[30]
Sheila has asked Jonathan to move in with her, but she's hiding something, a family member.
304"A Marvellous Opportunity"David AskeyPeter Learmouth12 March 1993 (1993-03-12)[31]
A flu epidemic has decimated the number of nurses currently working in the hospital, Joyce gets the opportunity for a job upstairs.
315"Trial by Fury"David AskeyPeter Learmouth19 March 1993 (1993-03-19)[32]
As Director of Surgery Sheila has put the breaks on when it comes to spending money, the annual get together suffers.
326"You Won't Feel a Thing"David AskeyPeter Learmouth26 March 1993 (1993-03-26)[33]
A prisoner comes into The Gillies for a hernia operation, he makes a serious claim against Doctor Haslam when he comes round.
337"Moan, Moan, Moan"David AskeyPeter Learmouth2 April 1993 (1993-04-02)[34]
Jonathan is jealous because Sheila is speaking to colleague Digby Gillingham a lot, poor Giles is exhausted because he's working exhausting hours.

Series 6 (1994)

No.
overall
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
341"Yes or No"David AskeyPeter Learmouth7 January 1994 (1994-01-07)[35]
Jonathan wants an answer from Sheila, she's looking for more passion. Cheryl is putting it about that Joyce has had surgery.
352"The Morning After"David AskeyPeter Learmouth14 January 1994 (1994-01-14)[36]
It's the morning after the engagement celebration, Sheila feels guilty for her behaviour, as does Jonathan.
363"Daniel's Stunt"David AskeyPeter Learmouth21 January 1994 (1994-01-21)[37]
It's student rag week, and Neil Copeland's car ends up on the roof, Jonathan and Sheila experience major difficulties in their relationship.
374"The Deaf Sentence"David AskeyPeter Learmouth28 January 1994 (1994-01-28)[38]
Jonathan has decided he can no longer work with Sheila. Joyce is now treating patients as customers.
385"Midnight Bugler"David AskeyPeter Learmouth4 February 1994 (1994-02-04)[39]
Jonathan has to have an operation, Sheila is concerned for the welfare of her former fiance.
396"On the Rebound"David AskeyPeter Learmouth11 February 1994 (1994-02-11)[40]
Having been ditched, Jonathan finds himself dating an attractive, younger Nurse, Laura.
407"Hot Gossip"David AskeyPeter Learmouth18 February 1994 (1994-02-18)[41]
Joyce and Cheryl compete with one another to give out malicious gossip, but when an important bit of news gets out, nobody believes it.
418"Cost Cutting Exercises"David AskeyPeter Learmouth25 February 1994 (1994-02-25)[42]
Sheila has to save costs, meaning some operations must be cancelled. One problematic case seems to push her and Jonathan a little closer.
429"Reunion Night"David AskeyPeter Learmouth4 March 1994 (1994-03-04)[43]
Sheila has a medical school reunion, but Paco's busy, and nobody is free to accompany her.
4310"For Richer, for Poorer"David AskeyPeter Learmouth11 March 1994 (1994-03-11)[44]
The wedding date has been confirmed, but a setback with the pools sees Sheila being sent to Coventry.

Series 7 (1995)

No.
overall
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
441"Driving it Home"David AskeyPeter Learmouth26 May 1995 (1995-05-26)[45]
Giles decides it's time to learn to drive for the first time, after Neil fails to teach him it falls on Jonathan. Daniel gets his mentor, his mother; while Joyce develops an unhealthy sausage roll obsession.
452"Rhyme or Reason"David AskeyPeter Learmouth2 June 1995 (1995-06-02)[46]
Sheila is irate that Jonathan is late with the telephone bill, a refusal to have a joint account causes questions.
463"All Put Together"David AskeyPeter Learmouth9 June 1995 (1995-06-09)[47]
Giles cracks under pressure during an operation, and has to call Sheila for help, ruining his chances of a senior post at Solihull.
474"The Silence of the Haslams"David AskeyPeter Learmouth16 June 1995 (1995-06-16)[48]
A famous pop star is set to have an operation at The Gillies, the press get hold of the story, so too has her crazed stalker.
485"The Walkout"David AskeyPeter Learmouth23 June 1995 (1995-06-23)[49]
The domestic and support staff have gone on strike, leaving the surgeons to muck in.
496"Kicking Against the Pricks"David AskeyPeter Learmouth30 June 1995 (1995-06-30)[50]
Sheila isn't happy when a patient wants to use acupuncture as a form of anaesthetic, Jonathan approves.
507"Administrator of the Year"David AskeyPeter Learmouth7 July 1995 (1995-07-07)[51]
Joyce is up for administrator of the year, and a few nights in a posh hotel, her task is made difficult when the staff room is removed. Jonathan and Sheila return from their honeymoon early.

Home releases

All seven series of Surgical Spirit have now been released on DVD. An 8-disc set of the complete series has also been released.

DVDYear(s)Release date
(Region 2)
Release date
(Region 4)
The Complete Series 1198928 May 20073 November 2011[52]
The Complete Series 219904 May 2009
The Complete Series 3199117 August 2009TBA
The Complete Series 4199218 January 2010TBA
The Complete Series 5199319 April 2010TBA
The Complete Series 619945 July 2010TBA
The Complete Series 7199523 August 2010TBA
The Complete Series1989-19954 October 2010TBA

References

  1. "Surgical Spirit". newonbritbox.info. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  2. "Series 1, Episode 1". comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  3. "Series 1, Episode 2". comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  4. "Series 1, Episode 3". comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  5. "Series 1, Episode 4". comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  6. "Series 1, Episode 5". comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  7. "Series 1, Episode 6". comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  8. "Series 2, Episode 1". comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
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  10. "Series 2, Episode 3". comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  11. "Series 2, Episode 4". comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  12. "Series 2, Episode 5". comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  13. "Series 2, Episode 6". comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  14. "Series 2, Episode 7". comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  15. "Series 3, Episode 1". comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
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  18. "Series 3, Episode 4". comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  19. "Series 3, Episode 5". comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  20. "Series 3, Episode 6". comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  21. "Series 3, Episode 7". comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
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  24. "Series 4, Episode 3". comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  25. "Series 4, Episode 4". comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  26. "Series 4, Episode 5". comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  27. "Series 4, Episode 6". comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
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  34. "Series 5, Episode 7". comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
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  42. "Series 6, Episode 8". comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  43. "Series 6, Episode 9". comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  44. "Series 6, Episode 10". comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
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  46. "Series 7, Episode 2". comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
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  49. "Series 7, Episode 5". comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  50. "Series 7, Episode 6". comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  51. "Series 7, Episode 7". comedy.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  52. "Surgical Spirit Series 1 & 2". Booktopia. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
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