Characterisation and introduction Rash is characterised as an "eternal optimist" and "cheeky" doctor who tries to bring laughter to the emergency ward. He is portrayed as possessing a "charming bedside manner" which builds a good rapport with patients. Sometimes Rash lacks confidence in his own ability and his "cheerful outlook" masks his work place anxiety. When he is first introduced, Rash has a "preppy look and glasses" which were reminiscent of the style portrayed by established character
Ethan Hardy (
George Rainsford). ''What's on TV's
Reilly opined that Rash had "the look of a young Ethan Hardy" and Rainsford told the journalist that "a couple of people have mentioned that Rash looks potentially like an Ethan-in-the-making in a bookish, bespectacled way." Mohan told What's on TV's'' Reilly that "Rash has his confidence challenged by prisoner Jack." When Jack takes Gem hostage, Mohan believed Rash's entire demeanour changed and he "kicks into fight or flight mode". Jack drags Gem out of the hospital, bundles her into a stolen car and tries to flee. In order to save Gem, he added that Rash "dives on the bonnet of the car". The story was the first stunt Mohan filmed in
Casualty. To make it seem authentic, Mohan was tied down to the bonnet of the car. When the driver put the vehicle in motion the actor was swung to either side of the bonnet. Rash's feelings for Gem continue to grow and writers used his shy and bashful characterisation to make awkward scenarios. Mohan told Sarah Ellis of
Inside Soap that "Rash is out of his depth when he's talking to women anyway, but when he's got a crush on someone, it just spirals out of control!" Rash and Gem are portrayed with quite contrasting personalities. Mohan believed that the pair were compatible despite being "such opposites". They have opposite personalities and different upbringings but Rash finds this "intriguing". He added that Rash "really fancies" Gem and that is why Rash struggles to impress her. Ryan told ''Inside Soap's'' Alice Penwill that "it's hard for Rash, as he wants to be there for Gem, although she's very stubborn." The actress explained that Gem wants Rash to look after her but she "pulls away". He can only offer words of sympathy and that "irritates" her. They later decide to resume their plans and he books tickets to travel to Vietnam. Rash's mother, Madia Masum (Buckso Dhillon-Woolley), discovers the tickets and suffers an angina attack. When she is admitted to the ED, she tells Rash that she found the tickets. A publicist for the drama series announced Rash would return in August 2019. Details about his return were under a
press embargo. Dainty stated that Rash and Gem's relationship was in doubt. Gem begins to miss Rash and decides to quit her job and join him travelling. After the episode aired, it was confirmed that Ryan had left the series and the scenes were her departure story. This signalled the end Rash and Gem's relationship with Rash's imminent return. Mohan believed that Rash and Gem's relationship ending off-screen felt "unresolved". After he returns the clinical lead
Dylan Keogh (
William Beck) offers Rash a full time position in the ED. Rash returns to work intent on "finding his position within the hospital" and "finding his assertiveness". Mohan later assessed that Rash had evolved from the "fresh and green" character that first appeared in
Casualty. Rash's "innocence is slightly jaded now" and because he had endured "so many difficult and heart-breaking things."
Hospital hierarchy Writers decided to focus an entire series portraying the NHS under pressure. Rash featured heavily in a story which explored the dynamics of hospital hierarchy. It shows the effects of a clinical lead off-loading work onto consultants, such as Ethan. In turn, Ethan passes his duties onto junior doctors, including Rash and
Mason Reede (Victor Oshin). Ethan is supposed to be their mentor offering support but he is preoccupied and suffering from
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Rainsford branded it a "big storyline" focusing the "true reflection" of NHS staff "struggling under the weight of their responsibilities." Oshin told Ellis (
Inside Soap) that Mason received a negative reaction from
Casualty viewers because Rash is well liked. He believed his character needed to "relax", "listen" and realise that being on a team of medics is a "collaborative effort". He thought that the "chain of command" was prevalent and "all going downwards". Rash keeps accepting more work to complete his fellowship and tries "his absolute best". Producers incorporated the surprise death of Mason into Rash's story. The scenes were not publicised prior to broadcast and featured Rash finding Mason dead in a storeroom. The scenes highlighted how the pressurised working environment left Rash not knowing much about his colleague. Rash finds Mason's death difficult but tries to continue working. He also comes to the realisation that, like himself, Mason was just trying to do the best job possible. Ethan buckles under the pressure and decides to take a leave of absence following Mason's death. His decision further damages his working relationship with Rash. Rainsford explained that Ethan's departure was poorly timed and he thought that Ethan should have stayed to help his colleagues and resolve his issues with Rash. Writers continued to explore the idea that "everybody in the NHS is under pressure." When Ethan returns he tries to support Rash, but he rebuffs Ethan's gestures. Their working relationship becomes volatile and Rash behaves out of character. Rash ignores Ethan and in one scene argues with him in front of patients. Rainsford believed that Rash and Ethan were quite similar characters and therefore clash. ==Reception==