49 home visits, surgeries, a ward round — and the occasional budgie in bother
I WAS very impressed by prime minister Clement Attlee, who was one of the major architects of our healthcare system, and I have always been a strong supporter of the NHS. I graduated from the University of St Andrews in June 1948, and so began work at the start of the NHS. But the reality was rather different from the views of Jo Roundell Greene, Attlee’s granddaughter (Mail). There were no appointment systems and the patients rolled in like a tsunami, twice a day, six days a week. I was fortunate if there were fewer than 50 patients at my morning and afternoon surgeries on a Leicester housing estate; on occasion, the numbers reached 70. The same faces appeared with monotonous regularity — we referred to these as the heart-sink patients. One turned up clutching a large box and I thought, dear thing, she’s brought me a case of wine. Sadly, no. She whipped the cover off to reveal a budgie in a cage with an egg stuck, and asked me to remove it. I pompously told her to go to the vet, whereupon she retorted: ‘I can’t do that. Vets cost money. You’re free.’ This free aspect was made good use of, especially out of hours. As the number three partner, I did three night duties each week; the second partner did two and the senior partner only one. There were no MMR vaccinations in those days and epidemics were dreaded. On New Year’s Day, 1953, I carried out 49 home visits as well as my surgeries and a ward round at a maternity unit. The most common night calls were from mothers: ‘Little Johnny’s got a high temperature and crying, what can I do?’ I would give the usual advice and put the phone down to hear a quiet voice say: ‘You’d better go. You won’t sleep.’ I married my conscience! It was extremely hard work, but all doctors were in the same boat, steeled to carry out all that was asked of them. Today, I believe the main problem for the NHS is the political tombstone around its neck. It needs to be a standalone establishment responsible to Parliament. Dr GWILYM EDMONDSON-JONES,
Ledbury, Hereford.