A woman with severe facial deformity is admitted to College Hospital for radical new surgery, attracting wide press coverage. Despite the hospital's assurances that the operation was successful, journalist James Kincaid is sceptical, even when the recovered woman is presented in public. Meanwhile, the new health minister, John Carlisle, announces his policy to transform the health service. The success of the new scheme and its apparent cost effectiveness is seen as a personal triumph for Carlisle. Why, then, are patients with terminal illnesses or disabilities dying much sooner than expected? With the help of Dr. Neil Tolkein and Staff Nurse Eve Laing, Kincaid risks all to uncover a horrifying and sinister conspiracy.