Category: Miscellaneous

Hospital life has changed enormously over the last 60 years, no more so than in the way that Christmas is celebrated. In those days a unique seasonal atmosphere developed during Christmas week and for those of us who were fortunate enough to be resident at that time, celebrating Christmas in hospital was a memorable experience. […]

Paul entered the committee room with some trepidation but was grateful when Mr Weston, his consultant boss, beckoned him to sit in an adjacent chair. This was his first appearance representing the junior doctors at the consultants’ meeting. After ‘apologies for absence’ had been noted and the minutes of the previous meeting agreed and signed, […]

Hospital life has changed enormously over the last 50 years, no more so than in the way that Christmas is celebrated. In those days a unique seasonal atmosphere developed during Christmas week and for those of us who were fortunate enough to be resident at that time, celebrating Christmas in hospital was a memorable experience. […]

At the start of my career when I was relatively new to pathology, the department had two trainees, both studying for their higher national certificates. The more senior was John Adams, the more junior Steve Wilcox. Both were pleasant young men who later qualified to become pathology laboratory technicians. Their training included being on duty […]

In recent years I’ve started to rise early and go for a run before going to work. The exercise does me good and after a long soak in the shower, I feel invigorated and ready to face whatever challenges await me when I arrive at the surgery. Recently though I’ve moderated my physical activity as […]

Terry had been a supporter of the Samaritans for many years and the charity’s fundraising golf day was, for him, a ‘never to be missed’ occasion. This year he had asked his old school friend Joe to accompany him, and they had enjoyed a pleasant game of golf at a prestigious golf course some forty […]

As a young man, I often heard old folks remark, usually with a sad smile and a knowing shake of the head, ‘Growing old is no fun, you know’. At the time, I didn’t take much notice but I’m now beginning to understand what they meant. I’m discovering that Old Father Time creeps up on you insidiously. […]

For those of us who, as young doctors and nurses, lived in the hospital in the 60s and 70s, Christmas Day was a memorable experience thanks to the great efforts made by the staff to create a cheerful atmosphere for those unfortunate enough to be ill and away from home at this special time. On […]

‘Too many chiefs and not enough Indians’ has been a common criticism of the Health Service for many years. Certainly, those at the coalface, if I may be allowed to mix my metaphors, frequently complain that there are too many managers and insufficient doctors, nurses, and paramedics, a theme that has frequently been picked up in […]

I applied for a post as a junior doctor for a newly appointed consultant physician and was fortunate to be appointed. The day after I started, I met another, more senior consultant, on the corridor. ‘I understand that you are now on the on-call rota,’ he said, pleasantly enough. ‘Yes, Sir, I am,’ I replied […]