Pikachu is climbing in a tree when something gets stuck in his throat. Brock quickly suggests that they take Pikachu to see a doctor. They search for a Pokémon Center, but there isn't one for miles. They eventually reach a hospital for humans and ask for help from a doctor. They find one, Dr. Proctor but the doctor doesn't pay much attention to Ash's pleas. However, when Misty starts pleading, the doctor gives in, stating that he can't resist a pretty face. Thinking Misty is the one in need of help, the doctor asks her what the problem was. After explaining that Pikachu was the sick one, Ash once again asks for help. Although a hospital for humans, the doctor reluctantly agrees to help. After checking on Pikachu, the doctor manages to remove the object from his throat, which is revealed to be an apple.
The phone then starts ringing; when the doctor refuses to answer, saying he is off duty, Brock answers for him and learns it is Nurse Joy. She informs the group that there has been a violent accident involving a truck of Pokémon stolen by Team Rocket, and the Pokémon are in dire need of medical attention. With the Pokémon Center at full capacity, the extra room in the hospital is needed. Instead of giving Nurse Joy a serious answer, Brock asks her out, making her angry. Meanwhile, Team Rocket are at the scene of the accident, with Jessie blaming James for the accident, while Meowth is feeling down because the charm on his head is missing. Back at the hospital, the doctor gives hospital uniforms to Ash and his friends to wear, as well as medical equipment, saying that he needs their help due to a staff shortage. When the injured Pokémon arrive on stretchers pushed by Chansey, everyone starts working. Ash calls out his Bulbasaur to hold down Cubone, who is struggling in pain. Misty then comforts it and successfully calms it down.
Team Rocket comes in, bringing more patients, namely Jessie's Arbok and a Raticate. The doctor asks Jessie on a date and she is impressed, but Ash urges the doctor not to help Team Rocket. However, Dr. Proctor explains that it is his job to heal, not to judge.
Everyone, including Jessie and James, work collaboratively to help all the injured Pokémon. There is a Dodrio in need of untangling, so the doctor prepares an anesthetic injection to calm it down. The Dodrio lunges at Dr. Proctor, causing the doctor to inadvertently stab himself with the anesthetic needle and fall asleep. With no doctor on hand, Ash decides to weaken Dodrio with his own Pokémon. He has Squirtle use Water Gun followed by Pikachu's Thunderbolt. Caught up in the moment, Ash pulls out a Poké Ball to catch the Pokémon, though Brock intervenes, reminding Ash that they are there to help the Pokémon, not catch them.
Later, Jessie and James decide that they are going to steal all of the injured Pokémon. They take off their hospital uniforms and start reciting their motto. However, Meowth unexpectedly interrupts them, still mourning the loss of his charm. Jessie and James try to hold back Ash and his friends with a "stretcher catcher" contraption. Chansey faces James, who threatens Ash with a big needle. Jessie and James command Arbok and Weezing to attack Chansey, but the Pokémon refuse. Dr. Proctor, who has just awoken, states that Arbok and Weezing will not attack Chansey because they were cared for by it when they were injured. Getting angry, Jessie throws a beaker at him, but Dr. Proctor simply cuts it in half using a scalpel. Dr. Proctor then shows them his arsenal of sharp tools, such as shots, scissors, and scalpels. Ash and his friends are freed by the Chansey. Team Rocket runs out of the building being chased by the "stretcher catchers" that Ash and his friends had pushed their way. Team Rocket then end up blasting off when the Voltorb that James sneaked away with self-destructs. Upon landing, Meowth is ecstatic to find his charm pop out of his head, where it had been all along.
With all the Pokémon successfully treated, Dr. Proctor suggests that Ash and his friends become doctors, offering them training. Misty shows interest, but adds that she still has a lot to learn about Water-type Pokémon. Ash and his friends ultimately bid farewell to Dr. Proctor and set out to continue their journey.