Blog 89 Alan’s story; a nurse’s tale from long ago
September 9, 2024Alan was a four year old boy who had been on the children’s ward for several weeks. His strength was slowly slipping away. On his ‘good’ days, he would play with the other children, enjoying the toys and teddy bears that they invariably had – but he had not. On his ‘bad’ days he was […] Read more
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Blog 88 Unfit for human consumption
August 8, 2024‘Telephone for you, Mr Lambert.’ I groaned; why, oh why, do people have to ring in the middle of my Monday clinic interrupting me when I’m busy with a patient. ‘Is it urgent?’ I ask of the nurse who had brought the message. Apparently it was so I apologised to the ‘dishabille’ patient. The caller […] Read more
Blog 87 Marriage Proposals Sixties style
June 9, 2024Only rarely these days will a young man be sufficiently old fashioned to ask a girl’s father for permission to take her hand in marriage. It is understandable that fathers wish to interrogate those wishing to marry their daughters, not least to make certain they are financially secure. The experience of a father of four […] Read more
Blog 86 Dr James Bond to the rescue
May 21, 2024Ian was a general practitioner in Herefordshire and enjoyed his life there immensely. He found that one of the delights of being a doctor in a rural practice was that he was able to blend seamlessly into country life although, like the local vicar, publican, and vet, he was distinguished by virtue of his profession. […] Read more
Blog 85 A teething problem on the ward many years ago
April 16, 2024Mrs Meek was a big woman. She was loud, domineering and opinionated – all in all an intimidating woman who certainly wasn’t ‘meek’ by nature. She had been admitted with abdominal pain but bitterly resented having to be in the main ward and she wearied the nurses with her constant demands and criticisms. She also irritated her […] Read more
Blog 84 The rectal examination – do as you would be done by
March 1, 2024Recently, I had the unhappy experience of being curled up in the foetal position with my bottom overhanging the edge of the examination couch, whilst the urologist thrust his chunky finger up my anus! Actually, it wasn’t the only price I had to pay for developing the problem that is so common in gentlemen of […] Read more
Blog 83 The medical student who was not as clever as he thought he was
January 14, 2024Jim was taking the Final Medical School Examination. Pass and he became a doctor; fail and he would remain a student and have to sit the exam all over again in six months time. The most important part of the exam was the bedside assessment of clinical skills. Each candidate was allowed 30 minutes alone […] Read more
Blog 82 Genuine Gratitude
December 28, 2023Charlie was 91 years old and had been widowed some ten years earlier. Determined to retain his independence, he lived alone with his memories. Keeping himself in good shape, he had learned to cook simple meals, had mastered the washing machine and kept his home clean and tidy; he knew that was his wife Marjory […] Read more
Blog 81 Christmas Eve in Hospital past and present
December 17, 2023Hospital 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. […] Read more
Blog 80 Frustrated love
December 10, 2023Archie was in love and took his beautiful young blond girl friend home to meet his parents. He introduced her to his mother who chatted with her in a decidedly cool and formal manner. After she had left, she took her son on one side. ‘Listen, son,’ she said, ‘please don’t you ever bring a […] Read more
