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Episode 3

Episode 3 of 8

New legislation and Sister Ursula cause serious problems for Shelagh and Dr Turner. Meanwhile, a first-time mother from the Chinese community faces an unexpected crisis.

The winds of change are blowing through Poplar, as a new government paper calls for the eradication of small hospitals in favour of large general hospitals. Dr Turner and Shelagh are informed that an inspection of the maternity home will decide its fate.

Sister Ursula has her own anxieties about the efficiency of Nonnatus House, so she introduces a new 20-minute rule for all antenatal and postnatal house visits. Barbara struggles the most with this, as she is drawn into helping a first-time mother from the Chinese community. It soon becomes apparent that the shortened visit might have allowed a serious oversight. With the future of the maternity home hanging by a thread, serious questions are raised over Sister Ursula's suitability for her role.

Meanwhile, Sister Monica Joan has started disappearing for long periods of time and there are growing concerns for Sister Mary Cynthia's whereabouts.

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1 hour

Audio described

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:02

    Peter Salem

    Call The Midwife Theme

  • 00:13

    Bobby Darin

    Multiplication

Credits

Role Contributor
Sister Julienne Jenny Agutter
Nurse Phyllis Crane Linda Bassett
Sister Monica Joan Judy Parfitt
Nurse Trixie Franklin Helen George
Shelagh Turner Laura Main
Nurse Barbara Gilbert Charlotte Ritchie
Sister Winifred Victoria Yeates
Tom Hereward Jack Ashton
Dr Patrick Turner Stephen McGann
Fred Buckle Cliff Parisi
Cyril Chen Chris Lew Kum Hoi
Lucy Chen Alice Connor
Oilen Chen Lucy Sheen
Mrs Evans Emily Houghton
Sister Ursula Harriet Walter
Mrs Collier Sandy Foster
Timothy Turner Max Macmillan
Angela Turner Alice Brown
Nurse Delia Busby Kate Lamb
Mr Greenwood Patrick Brennan
Mr Kenley Gerrard McArthur
Caretaker Darren Ruston
Workman Danny Nutt
Voice of Mature Jennifer Worth Vanessa Redgrave
Executive Producer Pippa Harris
Executive Producer Heidi Thomas
Producer Ann Tricklebank
Director James Larkin
Writer Carolyn Bonnyman
Production Company Neal Street Productions

Broadcast