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”
Tag Archives: health
🏚️ 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 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 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?”
The Day in the Life of a GP 17: No Time to Breathe, But Here’s a Breathing Technique
Morning Surgery Jessie, a young lady – depressed and not sure why. Hard when limited clues. Eventually I assess through the lens of a useful framework for life – Tony Robbins’ 6 human needs- certainty, uncertainty, love/connection, significance, growth, contribution. As I talk about it – it becomes clear that she struggles with uncertainty. A lot of peopleContinue reading “The Day in the Life of a GP 17: No Time to Breathe, But Here’s a Breathing Technique”
Diary of a GP 16: Breaking Convention. Psychedelics, synchronicities and the soul of community
Over the weekend, I attended Europe’s largest psychedelic consciousness conference — Breaking Convention. With over 200 presenters from Mexico to New Zealand, the energy itself felt like an altered state. I found myself moving between rooms filled with indigenous wisdom keepers, neuroscientists, therapists, artists, veteran plant medicine facilitators, and curious first-timers, all mingling without hierarchy. As FlorisContinue reading “Diary of a GP 16: Breaking Convention. Psychedelics, synchronicities and the soul of community”
Diary of a GP 14- Get Your Popcorn Out: Primary Care Unfiltered
Mr Bundle Mr Bundle, a 78-year-old gentleman — another casualty of a system designed to reduce the need for doctors. A local service has been developed where pharmacists are trained to manage simple conditions like coughs and colds. One of those conditions is shingles. Unfortunately, without strict criteria or GP-led oversight, these services can oftenContinue reading “Diary of a GP 14- Get Your Popcorn Out: Primary Care Unfiltered”
Diary of a GP 13: 37 years of Grace and Grumbles
Today is my birthday. I woke up early and lay in bed, relaxed and feeling quite a deep sense of connection — a change from the busy mind I often wake up with. As I lay in a relaxed morning stupor, I contemplated that I came into existence on this very day 38 years agoContinue reading “Diary of a GP 13: 37 years of Grace and Grumbles”
Diary of a GP 9: Standing Tall in the Smoke (31/3)
Back from a close friend’s stag in Amsterdam.Hungover in body, spirit, and soul. Monday’s already rough — and the other GP’s phoned in sick. Glorious. Jake Jake is doing well. It was really heartening to get on a call with the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) for him last week. A week after his binge-induced, axe-wielding, explosive-threateningContinue reading “Diary of a GP 9: Standing Tall in the Smoke (31/3)”
Mindful Medic 