Ep 5. Hippocratic Oath (1)

In the 5th episode of Silent Witness season 11, titled "Hippocratic Oath (1)", we are introduced to the world of private medicine. The episode begins with a young girl named Vanessa Peterson undergoing an operation at an exclusive private hospital, Bayswater Medical Centre, for a simple operation of removing her wisdom tooth. However, things take a turn for the worse when Vanessa suffers a fatal heart attack during the procedure. The hospital team manages to resuscitate her after 30 minutes, but it is too late, and she slips into a coma.

Dr. Julia Piper (Liz Fraser), the consultant anesthetist, is the primary suspect. She has had her fair share of complaints in the past, but her reputation for being the best in the business always saved her. The hospital management wants the case resolved quickly, and hence, the police are called in to investigate. Dr. Thomas Chamberlain (Richard Lintern), the team's forensic pathologist, is called in to perform a post-mortem on Vanessa Peterson. Together with his team, Dr. Chamberlain goes through Vanessa's medical records, and they discover something that doesn't seem right.

While investigating the hospital, Dr. Chamberlain is introduced to Dr. Leo Dalton (William Gaminara), the hospital's head of surgery. Dr. Dalton takes Dr. Chamberlain on a tour of the hospital and explains how Bayswater Medical Centre is different from other hospitals. They have a unique doctor-patient relationship, and the best medical professionals in the industry work there. Dr. Dalton also highlights the importance of performing well, as every case they perform is a showcase of their skills.

In their attempt to uncover the truth behind Vanessa's death, Dr. Nikhil Suresh (Ravi Kapoor), Dr. Chamberlain's colleague, approaches Vanessa's family under the guise of being a private physician. Nikhil builds a rapport with Vanessa's sister, Sophie Peterson (Kate Ashfield), and learns more about Vanessa's lifestyle. According to Vanessa's sister, Vanessa was a social worker who worked with drug addicts and often went to extreme lengths to help them. This information sparks Dr. Nikhil's interest, as he begins to suspect that Vanessa might have been a drug user.

As the investigation continues, Dr. Chamberlain and his team meet Dr. Eve Lockhart (Tara Fitzgerald), a new arrival in the office. Dr. Lockhart has experience working in the private sector, and her expertise comes in handy. The team soon discovers that the hospital's medical records are missing, which raises suspicion. They also uncover that Vanessa had traces of a muscle relaxant in her system, which should not have been there.

The episode ends with Dr. Chamberlain and his team uncovering more information about Vanessa's medical history and her connection to the Bayswater Medical Centre. They discover a link between Vanessa's death and a case that took place a year ago at the hospital. The stakes are high, and the team must figure out what is going on before more lives are lost.

In conclusion, "Hippocratic Oath (1)" is a thrilling episode that delves into the murky world of private medicine. The Silent Witness team is at their best, working together to uncover the truth behind Vanessa's death. The episode does an excellent job of keeping the audience invested in the investigation, with several twists and turns that keep the viewer on the edge of their seat. Overall, it is a must-watch episode for fans of the series.