Blog 110 Last Rites for Mary Wells
October 4, 2026We were on night duty, the two of us sitting at the table under the shaded lamp in the middle of the large Nightingale Ward. When we’d come on duty Sister had given us a progress report on each of the 20 medical patients for whom we would be caring until morning. By 1 am, […] Read more
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Blog 109 The eclipse brings me good fortune
August 12, 2026I was travelling south on the train, sitting gloomily by the window, every mile taking me closer to London and the rigors of the examination. If successful, I would become a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, a vital step on the road to a career as a surgeon. I reflected on the challenge […] Read more
Blog 108 Post 108 As Smooth as a Baby’s Bottom – A nurse’s reminiscence
July 9, 2026Ward 4 was an acute medical ward where I worked as a staff nurse for a number of years. As usual the ward was busy but thankfully we had a full complement of staff. I was allocated to work in Bay 3 which comprised six beds for male patients When I reached my allotted bay […] Read more
Blog 107 Physician or surgeon – who is the top dog?
June 2, 2026There has long been a friendly rivalry between physicians and surgeon, much as there is between the residents of Glasgow and those or Edinburgh or equally between those two great cities at either end of the East Lancs Road, Liverpool and Manchester. It dates back hundreds of years to the days of the ‘barber surgeons’. […] Read more
Blog 106 A Pensioner’s Car Parking Problem
May 16, 2026Last weekend I had an appointment to have my eyes tested at Specsavers. Getting there did not particularly concern me as I’d been there before when I was fixed up with my hearing aids. As always I allowed myself plenty of time to drive and to park the car. I was pleasantly surprised to find […] Read more
Blog 105 I may not be here in 6 months time
March 25, 2026Peggy was the life and soul of the Old Folks Home; energetic, perpetually cheerful and full of interesting ideas for entertainment and activities for her fellow companions. However, her main difficulty was overcoming their inertia; they seemed content to sit in their armchairs watching daytime repeats of their favourite old television programmes. Particularly lethargic was […] Read more
Blog 104 An innocent mistake angers a mother
February 6, 2026Geoff had endured a long morning in the out-patient clinic and a number of patients had become irritated at having to wait beyond the time of their appointments. Regrettably, this was not an unusual event, indeed it was par for the course when his boss Mr Stephens was in the clinic. The consultant frequently became so engrossed […] Read more
Blog 103 The eclipse brings me good fortune
December 29, 2025I was travelling south on the train, sitting gloomily by the window, every mile taking me closer to London and the rigors of the examination. If was successful, I would become a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, a vital step on the road to a career as a surgeon. I reflected on the […] Read more
Blog 102 Christmas Day in Hospital in days gone by
December 8, 2025For those of us who lived or worked in 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 Christmas morning the hospital […] Read more
Blog 101 The Unsung Hero of the NHS
November 12, 2025Erm… Please pardon me for interrupting….Just thought I’d say “Hello” See it’s your turn again! At least they’ll see me at my best today, not wishy-washy like when Dr Dishwasher makes it. HE hasn’t got a clue. I just can’t do my job properly when he’s around; HE always leaves me weak, unable […] Read more
