Breaking Strain

Overview

Because of staff shortage Liz hasn't slept for three nights. She is asked to turn off the ventilator of a brain-dead patient (with relatives present) and accidentally presses the wrong button, which triggers a noisy alarm. She later has an argument with a patient. Claire breaks up with Adrian. Julie breaks up with Cyril. Mr. Docherty finally proposes to Mrs. Trimble. Adrian's son comes in after a traffic accident. Adrian tries to save him but fails. Alone in the theatre, he breaks out in tears. Liz has a nervous breakdown in her room, smashing her pager.