I cycle into work. It’s a rainy day. I’m going down a steep hill and brake hard behind a van that suddenly stops. I skid viciously and nearly fall off. I let go of the brakes and momentarily recover—only to realise I’m still hurtling towards a stationary van. I slam the brakes again, skid, andContinue reading “Diary of a GP 27 Skids, Stickers & Simon’s Sexual Tension”
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🏚️ Diary of a GP 26: Claire and the Kingdom of Crackheads
Claire is one of those patients who enters the room with a quiet whirlwind behind her. She doesn’t look chaotic—in fact, she looks composed. But tired. Tired in a way only someone surviving every day can be. Not dramatic. Not complaining. Just there, holding herself together with a kind smile, an antihistamine, and a palette ofContinue reading “🏚️ Diary of a GP 26: Claire and the Kingdom of Crackheads”
Diary of a GP 25: Finally Out of the Weeds
⏳ Leadership Time — But Only After Resignation After a year of firefighting, I’ve been handed the matchbox. Two months left. Let’s see what we can ignite. I’ve finally been given protected leadership time — ironically, just weeks after submitting my resignation. This reflects a larger problem in our system: reactive leadership, not proactive. Simon askedContinue reading “Diary of a GP 25: Finally Out of the Weeds”
Diary of a GP 24: Sitting Still and starting at screens— An antidote?
I signed up for an ultramarathon while I was in Scotland. Technically, it just qualifies. It’s only about 5 miles longer than a marathon (26.2 miles).By definition, anything beyond marathon distance counts as an ultramarathon — even if just barely.Some ultras stretch into the hundreds of miles. There are even a couple over 1,000 miles.Continue reading “Diary of a GP 24: Sitting Still and starting at screens— An antidote?”
Diary of a GP 23: Freecycle Friendships, Jazz, and Missed Connections
After the conference ended, I spent the rest of my weekend visiting old friends and old haunts in Glasgow. I lived in the Southside — vibrant, raw, full of diversity and creativity. Its wide range of cultures express themselves through delicious, unpretentious cafes and restaurants. In parts, the Southside borders on urban decay, but there’sContinue reading “Diary of a GP 23: Freecycle Friendships, Jazz, and Missed Connections”
Diary of a GP 22: What GPs Are Fighting For — Stories, Systems, and the Sticking Points
The real heart of the BMA LMC GP UK (enough acronyms to obscure meaning?) conference lay in the issues debated — motions that touched everything from clinical ethics to working conditions to the future of how we practise medicine. Here’s a glimpse into some of the motions that sparked the most debate — and whyContinue reading “Diary of a GP 22: What GPs Are Fighting For — Stories, Systems, and the Sticking Points”
Diary of a GP 21: Glasgow, General Practice and the Unexpected Stirring
I arrived at the conference with low expectations. Honestly, I wasn’t chasing inspiration — I was chasing a catch-up with my friend Stephen, a fellow GP with a leadership role. The fact that it was in Glasgow — my old stomping ground — made it an easy yes. I’ve worked in national-level leadership before, butContinue reading “Diary of a GP 21: Glasgow, General Practice and the Unexpected Stirring”
Diary of a GP 20: Mental Toughness Has a Time Limit
I wake up and lie in bed. Can’t bring myself to get up and do anything useful. Decide to get my phone and scroll. Un-mindful medic. Eventually I contemplate if I can even be bothered to cycle into work. I hear David Goggins’ voice: “The only way you gain mental toughness is to do things you’reContinue reading “Diary of a GP 20: Mental Toughness Has a Time Limit”
Diary of a GP 18: From Reception to Resignation?
Frontline Receptionist: The View from the Other Side It’s both important—and humbling—to spend time in other people’s shoes. This morning, the service manager, Andy, asked me to start the day on reception—to feel the heat where it often burns brightest. Patients treat receptionists very differently to doctors. Probably because we hold the keys to theContinue reading “Diary of a GP 18: From Reception to Resignation?”
Diary of a GP 15: No Soap, No Hope
I come in to work and as Carrie the healthcare assistant pops into my room to borrow a thermometer in the morning, I ask for my hand soap to be replaced as I can’t find any in the store cupboard. I receive a blank look. ‘The soap. It needs replacing.’ She rustles away. ‘We canContinue reading “Diary of a GP 15: No Soap, No Hope”
Mindful Medic 