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 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 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”
Diary of a GP 12: Touch Down
Back to ma clinic. Vienna was a joy. Elegant. Magnificent. Organised. Culturally sophisticated.I walked the city snapping photos like it was a museum — and then stepped into museums within the museum. The Kunsthistorisches — unfortunately named, but deeply inspiring. I wandered palaces, absorbed the atmosphere. Travelling is invigorating. Saskia was so humble, kind, andContinue reading “Diary of a GP 12: Touch Down”
Diary of a GP 11: The Plus-One Plot Twist
8 days before I arrive in Vienna, I receive a message from Saskia. “How are you? All ok? Are you bringing a plus one?” “No, I was planning on riding solo.” “OK. Maybe it’s better if you bring a plus one, but no pressure.” Cogs turning. How am I going to magic up a plusContinue reading “Diary of a GP 11: The Plus-One Plot Twist”
Diary of a GP 10: From Bali to Viennese red carpets- Diving with Mermaids, Flirting with Fashion and Managing emergencies at 35,000 Feet
The Escape to Bali In January, I took a trip to Bali. Much needed from the isolating chaos of my GP job. I started off by heading to an island off the coast of Bali called Gili Air and learnt to scuba dive with an open water PADI diving course. The skillset and training is incredible. ItContinue reading “Diary of a GP 10: From Bali to Viennese red carpets- Diving with Mermaids, Flirting with Fashion and Managing emergencies at 35,000 Feet”
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)”
Diary of a GP 7: A non-stop day
Duncan, the 22-year-old whose relatives and friends keep dying around him, is back. I can’t believe it. His grandfather fell and is now paralysed. He keeps having panic attacks—one triggered during his therapist’s consultation, another when his mildly abnormal blood results set off his health anxiety. He’s coping quite well despite this. Recently, he spentContinue reading “Diary of a GP 7: A non-stop day”
Mindful Medic 