Doctor in the House | Season 2 | Episode 1 - THE O’CONNORS
The O’Connor family live in Dublin’s Finglas. Tara, Paul and their children Nathan, Gareth, Jade, Shauna and 6 year-old granddaughter Brooke. The family’s lifestyle has descended into one of takeaways, daily alcohol and virtually no exercise. Dad Paul manages to get through 48 cans of beer a week, and the family often order a takeaway – after eating a proper dinner. All of the family (bar granddaughter Brooke) carry significant extra weight and they realise they’ve got to the stage where something needs to change. Both parents are aware that there are hereditary diseases in their family background, and they are keen to avoid the inevitable of what might be down the road if they don’t change their ways. After being monitored, screened and assessed, the news that is delivered to the O’Connors is shocking. Type 2 diabetic Paul is not only told that he has the start of liver disease, but the doctors tell him that he will not live to see his granddaughter grow up unless he stops drinking and cuts down on his sugar intake. The news for the rest of the family is not much better. Over the next 8 weeks the family work hard to improve their lifestyle. Paul and Tara managed to steer clear of alcohol and the whole family embrace the new eating plan and exercise plan, albeit with a few hiccups along the way. At the end of the 8 weeks, the family are faced with the Temptation Test… It’s Granny Kathleen’s 70th birthday at the local pub – will the family be able to avoid the party food and booze? Dr Sinead arrives first thing the next morning with a breathalyser to see if they managed to resist temptation… At the end of the 8 weeks the family are re-tested… What will the change in their lifestyle have made to their long-term health?