GPs: Behind Closed Doors — Season 3

Aired 14 October 2015 • 60 min

The observational documentary returns, this time giving an insight into the work of doctors at Balham Park Surgery in London, who have over 18,000 patients on their books. Dr Sara Kayat must treat a patient who is experiencing a full-blown panic attack, while Dr Clare Taylor has an asthmatic's life in her hands when they suffer a severe attack at the surgery. Elsewhere, Dr William Laird must break the news of stomach cancer to his patient, and a man suffering with throat cancer recounts a recent ordeal which left him hospitalised. Plus, a young man seeks Dr Chris Pearce's advice on various conflicting reports on his fertility.

Aired 21 October 2015 • 60 min

The effects of substance abuse are clear when Dr Eleanor Beecraft is forced to call an ambulance for a patient who may have taken a drugs overdose. Elsewhere, another doctor must convince a depressed man with a marijuana habit that life is still worth living, and Dr Sarah Kayat has a consultation with a long-term alcoholic, who explains the events that led to his life coming off the rails.

Aired 28 October 2015 • 60 min

Dr Watson tries to break a vicious circle as her patient tries to self-medicate depression with alcohol. Dr Pearce issues an urgent warning to a patient whose liver is showing the strain of coping with 25 pints a week. Dr Kayat treats an unusual case of 'swimmers itch'.

Aired 4 November 2015 • 60 min

This episode, the subject of bereavement takes centre stage. Dr Watson offers 'talking therapy' to a young lady who recently lost her mother and Dr Bower treats a depressed gentleman who has been plagued by suicidal thoughts since his mother's death.

Aired 11 November 2015 • 60 min

Observational reality series filmed inside the consulting rooms at the Balham Park Surgery, a busy NHS practice in south-west London. Dr Beecraft sends a patient to A&E with what could be a potentially life-threatening blood clot, and Dr Glynne refers a woman with crippling back pain for emergency surgery.

Aired 18 November 2015 • 60 min

Two recently treated patients return seeking more urgent help from the hard-pressed doctors. Despite her back surgery, mother-of-two Lisa is still in chronic pain. Cyber bullying left Aaron depressed and suicidal and despite his treatment he is still in a highly distressed state.

Aired 25 November 2015 • 60 min

A gentleman needs regular medication for epilepsy, but is unwilling to break Ramadan fast to swallow the tablets and another man with chronic airways disease flatly refuses to quit smoking.

Aired 2 December 2015 • 60 min

The victim of a road traffic accident staggers into the surgery intent on getting a doctor's letter, oblivious to the possibility that he has a broken neck, and Dr Heather Watson's patient Ash has been bitten by a mysterious insect whilst camping, but it transpires that the bites are the least of his worries.

Aired 9 December 2015 • 60 min

Two very different patients come in to consult the doctors about their pregnancy - a young couple wanting confirmation that they really are expecting their first baby, and a woman with a history of postnatal depression worried about slipping back into a depressive state now that she is expecting her fourth child.

Aired 16 December 2015 • 60 min

The doctors and staff of the Balham Park Surgery in London have more than 18,000 patients on their books, with problems ranging from sore throats to suicidal thoughts. But with GP surgeries receiving less than 10% of the total NHS budget while handling some 90% of its workload, how long can this vital community service survive? Touching, honest and hilarious, this observational documentary series takes a look at the stresses, strains and joys of working in and using the health service in modern Britain. Leslie has suffered tummy pains for years, and Dr Pearce suspects chicken nuggets are to blame. Lucy worries that her bloated stomach is ovarian cancer, but Dr Morris thinks the culprit is more likely to be broccoli.

Aired 23 December 2015 • 60 min

Angela is not only suffering with alcoholism and depression, but has also been involved in a nasty fight. Brian needs to quit smoking, but will he listen to his Doctor's advice. William is still struggling to find a job, yet manages to sustain a addiction to marijuana.

Aired 6 January 2016 • 60 min

A patient who has missed hospital appointments to have their ears syringed is furious that their problem still hasn't been solved. A patient fears that stomach pain may be something much more serious. A newly pregnant woman is worried she might miscarry again.

Aired 13 January 2016 • 60 min

Dr William Laird tries to help a patient suffering from chronic vertigo, twisting their head in an attempt to shift the debris inside the ear that is causing the problem. Meanwhile, Dr Shah gets busy with a tuning fork, pressing against a patient's skull to ascertain the severity of a man's debilitating tinnitus.

Aired 21 January 2016 • 60 min

Nurse Sarah Moloney tends to Elliot, who required stitches after being stabbed in the head, and has come to Balham Park Surgery to have them removed. Meanwhile, Dr Claire Taylor sings the praises of Amanda, who recently donated one of her kidneys to her sister, but was left with surgical scars that are now at risk of becoming infected. Claire plans to clean out the wounds, and provide her patient with help in ensuring the dangerous infection does not get too far into her body.

Aired 27 January 2016 • 60 min

Two patients arrive with problems associated with mountain climbing. One is planning to play a rugby match on the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro

Aired 4 February 2016 • 60 min

Shilts sheds some light on a woman with self-image issues

Aired 11 February 2016 • 60 min

Dr Chris Pearce meets an anxious vicar who is concerned that a bloodshot eye will prevent him leading a funeral the next day

Aired 18 February 2016 • 60 min

The doctors at Balham Park Surgery deal with patients requiring emergency hospital treatment, including a 29-year-old man complaining about pins and needles in his hands and feet. Dr Patrick Bower suspects a rare and deadly disease that attacks the central nervous system, Guillain-Barré Syndrome, and sends his patient straight to A&E. Dr Sara Kayat treats a man suffering from sharp chest pains, especially during exercise. Taking his family history of heart disease and high blood pressure into consideration, the GP sends him directly to the hospital.

Aired 24 February 2016 • 60 min

Despite receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis, Dr Eleanor Beecraft's cancer patient Kevin is determined to remain positive. He has bought a narrowboat and set up a fundraising scheme to help other sufferers. Meanwhile, Dr Chris Pearce treats a bereaved woman, Touria, who recently lost her husband to pancreatic cancer. She is presenting the classic symptoms of bereavement, and is unable to sleep, eat properly or feel motivated.

Aired 2 March 2016 • 60 min

Cameras return to Balham Park Surgery, with the GPs trying to help patients who pose a danger to themselves. Long-term patient Allan, who has a number of long-standing health conditions, arrives in Dr Sian Morris's consultation room, claiming that his weight loss is due to the stress of recently moving house. However, the doctor suspects a more sinister cause - crack cocaine - and leaves Allan in no doubt as to the risks of continuing with such a dangerous habit.

Aired 9 March 2016 • 60 min

Dr Beecraft has to assess whether or not a bipolar patient is safe to take a long-haul flight.

Aired 16 March 2016 • 60 min

Dr Morris treats patients who are wracked with anxiety.

Aired 23 March 2016 • 60 min

The staff at Balham Park Surgery have to dish out some no-nonsense advice to people who don't want to hear it, including the parent of a young child whose has developed a chronic lung condition

Aired 30 March 2016 • 60 min

Dr Watson treats an exhausted Frenchman with an itchy back passage, Dr Kayat helps a cervical cancer survivor whose self-confidence has taken a knock, and Dr Pearce meets a man who wants clarification on the size of a healthy prostate.

Aired 6 April 2016 • 60 min

Dr Claire Taylor is consulted by a partially sighted woman, Gohar, whose eyes were severely damaged by a chemical burn when she was a child. She is beginning to suffer from extreme pain in her one functioning eye, and fears it may be shutting down, leaving her completely blind. Meanwhile, receptionists Nana and Vicky's pens keep going missing, and fellow receptionist Adam is their prime suspect.

Aired 13 April 2016 • 60 min

Dr Patrick Bower is consulted by a patient whose occasional binge drinking sessions are potentially putting his health at risk. Meanwhile, Dr Sarah Kayat helps a recovering alcoholic who is claiming to hear voices in his head, and she must try to get him seen by specialists at the local Integrated Drugs and Alcohol Service centre.

Aired 20 April 2016 • 60 min

Observational reality series. Kirsty's premature baby daughter Charlotte is having trouble breathing, and a young woman has abdominal pain so severe that the doctors have no choice but to send her to straight to A&E.

Aired 27 April 2016 • 60 min

Two long-term patients arrive for a consultation, one with excruciating back pain who thinks that all the painkillers are affecting her, the other a long-term cannabis user with depression.

Aired 4 May 2016 • 60 min

Dr Bower is concerned about an eight-year-old boy with an unusually husky voice, and Dr Shah treats a young girl with a crust patch on her top lip.

Aired 11 May 2016 • 60 min

Rabrinda is back to see Dr Shital and it looks like they have finally got to the bottom of his appalling flatulence, OAP Frederik appears unfazed by his prostate cancer diagnosis, and Joyce remains upbeat about life despite living with breast cancer.

Aired 18 May 2016 • 60 min

Rap star Lady Leshurr needs some simple vaccinations before travelling to South Africa for a video shoot. Unfortunately, she is terrified of needles...

Aired 25 May 2016 • 60 min

Dr Sara Kayat meets Daya, a young man who has been experiencing trouble with his feet for the past four years. He has what appears to be a fungal infection under his toenails, so Dr Sara takes some clippings to send off for analysis. Her next patient is Anna, who has been driven to distraction by itchy feet, caused by athlete's foot and pustular psoriasis. Plus, Dr William Laird takes the surgery's third foot patient, this time taking the form of schoolboy Jack, who sprained his ankle during enthusiastic performances on the squash and volleyball courts.

Aired 1 June 2016 • 60 min

Dr Chris Peace diagnoses a fitness fanatic with a fungal infection after she notices an unusual red patch on her leg has spread to her thighs. Meanwhile, Dr Marietta Swanne suspects an elderly patient's own livid breakout could be caused by cellulitis. Across the corridor, Dr Joanna Brigg also deals with a skin disorder, this time in the form of a full body rash she believes could be a symptom of pityiasis rosea, a non-contagious condition that can last up to six weeks.

Aired 8 June 2016 • 60 min

A patient with neuropathy consults Dr Clare MacMichael, but their constipation and weight loss gives the GP cause for concern. Meanwhile, Dr Chris Pearce is on hand with diet advice for Leslie, who is desperate to do something about his ongoing stomach pains, and Dr William Laird is seen by a patient who recently battled stomach cancer, but continues to damage his body by drinking.

Aired 15 June 2016 • 60 min

A carer looks after her 100-year old mother with dementia.

Aired 22 June 2016 • 60 min

The doctors treat patients with sports-related injuries.

Aired 29 June 2016 • 60 min

The doctors of Balham Park Surgery treat accident victims.

Aired 6 July 2016 • 60 min

The doctors treat patients with heart concerns.

Aired 13 July 2016 • 60 min

The doctors take medical students under their wing.

Aired 20 July 2016 • 60 min

The doctors treat patients in search of pain relief.

Aired 27 July 2016 • 60 min

A rugby player comes in with a toenail hanging by a thread.

Aired 3 August 2016 • 60 min

The doctors treat patients surprised by sudden injury.

Aired 10 August 2016 • 60 min

John fears that his drooping eyelids may indicate a stroke.

Aired 17 August 2016 • 60 min

Special edition revisiting memorable patient consultations from past series. A man explains why he decided to undergo risky major heart surgery, while an elderly woman has words of encouragement for those struggling to regain their confidence and independence after a fall. Plus, an interview with lifelong friends Catherine and Nora, who came to Balham Park Surgery for a blood test.

Aired 24 August 2016 • 60 min

A man tells the inspirational story of his successful battle with bladder cancer, while a woman describes how she conquered an eating disorder, after she became caught in a cycle of binging and purging. Meanwhile, a long-term patient remains upbeat about life, despite health problems and a low income.

Aired 31 August 2016 • 60 min

Toni explains how her life is now back on track after suffering from chronic depression, and Sammy talks about how his mental health condition appears to have stabilised. Meanwhile, two regular patients discuss their relationship, and husband and wife Charles and Brigid describe how his illness brought them even closer together.

Aired 7 September 2016 • 60 min

Observational documentary series filmed inside the consulting rooms of a busy London NHS practice. Four more patients from the first three series tell their stories. Carrie has Body Dysmorphic Disorder, wheelchair-bound Alan and his partner and carer John recall life when homosexuality was illegal, Milton is caught in a poverty trap and depends on Dr Shah for advice and guidance. When Sue consulted Dr Helm about her tremors, she feared she was in the early stages of Parkinson's Disease.

Aired 14 September 2016 • 60 min

Observational documentary series filmed inside the consulting rooms of a busy London NHS practice. Four more patients brings their memorable stories up to date. Sherece had extreme anxiety and depression. Rosanne is a full-time carer of her 100-year-old mother. An eight-year-old cardiac patient was brought in by his mum to have his stitches removed. Hayley was 23 when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer.

Aired 22 September 2016 • 60 min

Kayla talks about her unconventional life with her partner Kevin, who recently died of lung cancer. After receiving news that his condition was terminal, the couple bought a narrowboat and set up a cancer charity to provide day trips for terminal cancer sufferers. Meanwhile, an alcoholic gives a vivid account of a lifetime of heavy drinking and his current determination to remain sober, while Sophie discusses adapting to life in a wheelchair after becoming paralysed following a fall at a party