Since I handed in my resignation, Claire (our HCA) decided to retire and left last week, three receptionists are heading off to uni, and Jane — one of the key clerical staff — is leaving too. All within a month. I’m out in two weeks. No replacements have been lined up. “It’s like rats leavingContinue reading “Diary of a GP 28: Notes from a Sinking Ship”
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Diary of a GP 27 Skids, Stickers & Simon’s Sexual Tension
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”
🏚️ 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 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?”
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 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 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”
Mindful Medic 