Blog 25 Christmas Eve in the hospital 50 years ago
December 19, 2018Hospital 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
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Blog 24 Taking a patient’s clinical history – a tutorial from an expert
December 3, 2018William Wetherall, the hospital’s senior surgeon, laid aside the journal he was reading and looked at the clock on the wall of his office. It was one minute before ten o’clock. He smiled, he had a surprise planned for the new group of students who were waiting for him on the ward. He eased himself from […] Read more
Blog 23 The best consultant in the world
November 20, 2018The time has come for me to introduce you to Sir William who will feature in several of the tales that I have lined up for you. He is the doctor I have most admired, the best boss I had when I was training and a wonderful colleague when I became a consultant. He was […] Read more
Blog 22 A hospital volunteer brings comfort to a distressed mother
November 7, 2018When patients are grateful for the care they receive, be it in hospital, in the GP’s surgery or at home, they often express their gratitude and leave small gifts for the doctors and nurses. The doctors are ‘marvellous’ the nurses ‘angels’. So they may be and such recognition can be great motivating factors. But what of all […] Read more
Blog 21 Legal problems after a vasectomy – and a late reprieve
October 16, 2018Don’s heart sank when he saw the letter sitting on his desk. The envelope was of high quality, it bore a first class stamp and had a London postmark. In his experience such letters rarely brought good news. With great reluctance he opened the envelope. The note paper was thick and expensive, certainly not the sort […] Read more
Blog 20 A Nurse’s ‘Very Special’ Patient
September 19, 2018As a part of my paediatric nursing training in 1963 at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, I was required to undertake a ‘patient study’. It involved studying the care of an individual patient in detail. I chose a particularly ill baby called ‘James’ (not his real name) who had a severe chest infection. He […] Read more
Blog 19 My Most Memorable Medical Moment
August 27, 2018Jimmy was 28 years old when I first met him. He was good looking, 5 feet 10 inches tall, slightly built, a keen football fan but also a violent criminal with severe mental health problems. Arrested, tried and found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm, he received a custodial sentence. Later he was referred to […] Read more
Blog 18 A pregnant pig helps me to make a stunning diagnosis
August 14, 2018One definition of serendipity is ‘Looking for a needle in a haystack and finding the farmer’s daughter’. Perhaps that’s a bit ‘Non PC’ these days, a bit sexist but no matter! For me, serendipity was having a pregnant pig help me make a stunning diagnosis – let me tell you more….. I had taken the written […] Read more
Blog 17 A traumatic experience for a student doctor
July 31, 2018“Let’s get you to see another patient and see if you can do a little better with her,” my examiner said, smiling; clearly enjoying my distress. He asked me to listen to the heart of an extremely breathless lady who was lying on a nearby couch. My spirits rose slightly. In the previous three months […] Read more
Blog 16 Understanding the patient’s pain
July 16, 2018We had all heard of high flying students, some the best in their Medical School year who had come a cropper in the final exam. To succeed, you not only had to know your stuff, be quick witted and keep a rein on your nerves; you also had to be lucky. The previous year my […] Read more
