A Minor Operation 

While in hospital for routine surgery, Hetty is able to help DCI Adams with a rash of home robberies of patients and a false rape allegation against the inspector.

Director:

Jim Goddard

Writers:

John Bowen (series creator), David Cook (series creator)

Stars:

Patricia Routledge, Dominic Monaghan, Frank Mills

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Patricia Routledge	...	Hetty Wainthropp
Dominic Monaghan	...	Geoffrey
Frank Mills	...	Frank Wainthropp
John Graham-Davies	...	D.C.I. Adams (as John Graham Davies)
Suzanne Maddock	...	Janet Fraser
Wanda Ventham	...	Margaret Balshaw
Michelle Holmes	...	Ruth Kilbride
Gillian Kearney	...	Debra Woolmer
Richard Coyle	...	Dr Miles Miller
Tyrone Huggins	...	Ezekial Alebua
Lorraine Peters	...	Mrs Mabbthorpe
Jean Stevens	...	Bessie Simcox
Bruce Byron	...	Joe Doolan
Jack Carr	...	Jack Doolan
John Bleasdale	...	Bell

Storyline

In hospital for the removal of varicose veins Hetty sees DCI Adams,who has a prisoner under escort in a private ward and who warns her that several patients have been burgled whilst away from their homes. When young nurse Deborah Woolmar trumps up a sexual assault charge against Adams Hetty realises that this is an attempt to discredit him as the ward sister is rather too friendly with the convict - who just happens to be the brother of a pair of smugglers who are also robbing the houses.

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Plot Keywords:

organic produce | varicose veins | false accusation | green beans | frame up | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Mystery | Romance

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Certificate:

TV-14

Did You Know?

Quotes

Hetty Wainthropp: [to her podiatrist] My legs haven't had this much attention since they were on the stage at the Floral Hall in nineteen hundred and... never mind.

User Reviews

A great story.

Hetty ends up in Hospital needing her veins done, she's in the right place to offer assistance to The Chief Inspector who's accused by a nurse of groping her. With Hetty in Hospital, Frank takes on his own case, much to Hetty's annoyance.

We finally get a bid story for The Chief Inspector, he's been a bit part player for the most part, so it's good for him to be centre stage, even if he is in trouble, fortunately Hetty believes him. Hetty being incapacitated also adds a different angle.

I will be glad to see Robert return, Frank is on the irritating scale, he's a bit over the top.

Gillian Kearney us excellent as Debra, I also loved Wanda Ventham here.

It's an excellent episode.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 January 1998 (UK)

Filming Locations:

Darwen, Lancashire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

BBC-TV Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

49 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1