The Tremor in Theatre Four

Ashley and Andrew discuss a tense incident during a cardiothoracic procedure at Manchester Royal Infirmary.

The Tremor in Theatre Four

Listen and choose the right answer

Why did Ashley confront Andrew in the first place?

• She noticed his hands shaking during a surgical procedure.
• He failed to appear for his scheduled morning clinic.
• He refused to sign the controlled drugs register.

What was Andrew's initial explanation for the incident in the operating theater?

• He claimed it was a chronic neurological disorder.
• He dismissed it as a minor caffeine tremor.
• He blamed the hospital's faulty surgical instruments.

What unexpected fact did Andrew reveal during their conversation?

• He had already reported his condition to Ashley two years prior.
• He was planning to resign at the end of the month.
• He had never performed that specific heart surgery before.

How did Ashley react once she remembered their past conversation?

• She threatened to report him immediately to the GMC.
• She admitted she shared the blame for dismissing his concerns earlier.
• She insisted he continue operating without interruption.

Listen again and complete the sentences

• Ashley: You might have told me before we scrubbed in that your ____ was compromised. I could at least have asked for a replacement vascular surgeon.
• Ashley: I have a legal duty to report any ____ , and frankly, covering for a colleague is no longer an option for me.
• Andrew: Before you rush off to the clinical director with your ____ and your ethics lecture, perhaps you should check your own archives.
• Andrew: You listened for about two minutes, patted me on the shoulder, and told me ____ meant keeping our department strong.
• Andrew: At least we agree that ignoring the problem won't make it go away anymore. Let's go see the ____ coordinator together.

Sources: photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels