The rantings and ravings of distinguished but bumptious House Surgeon, Sir Lancelot Spratt (James Robertson Justice) have always been commonplace in the corridors of St. Swithins Hospital. When he becomes strangely silent, everyone is puzzled. Their curiosity turns to disbelief and alarm when he actually becomes gentle, kind and considerate!

Fortunately Sir Lancelot has an invaluable ally to help with his affliction, his friend and one time pupil, Dr. Simon Sparrow (Dirk Bogarde) who soon diagnoses the trouble - Sir Lancelot is in love!

Although Simon finds the cause, dispensing a cure is much more difficult. He doesn't have time to help Sir Lancelot, particularly when his own love life is becoming even more complex. The enchanting Delia (Samantha Eggar) is taking up most of his attentions and her acting career seems to take over everything else - can Simon cope?

When there's a DOCTOR IN DISTRESS it can only end in laughs!