THE DOCTOR WHO KNOWS THAT HEALTH IS WEALTH

KNOWN as Jimmy Wickers to his patients, 78-year-old Dr Wickremesinghe qualified in medicine in Sri Lanka, before continuing his training in the UK. He’s a GP in Stockwell, South London, having previously worked as a breast cancer surgeon and an endoscopist. Jimmy says: IT SOUNDS strange for a doctor, but I’m a bit lazy when it comes to exercise and find it hard to stick to a regimen. I like swimming, but I don’t like the pools in England, as the water is too cold, so instead I walk and sometimes play tennis.

I am blessed that every day I come back to a home-cooked meal from my wife, Kath. However, I probably drink a bit too much — a couple of glasses of wine every evening, and the occasional gin and tonic.

We don’t go by chronological age in my profession: biological age is more important. There are 60year-olds who are quite ill, and 90year-olds who are very fit, playing golf and living the life of Riley.

One thing I do notice is loneliness. Many patients in their 80s or 90s live isolated lives, lots of them with no family or with children who can’t be bothered to visit. There seems to be no community cohesion.

In the Asian culture, older people are more respected and are integrated into everyday family life. I think we can learn from this.

Family is key. My wife and I are lucky to be able to see our two children, Nick and Katy, a lot — now we’re just waiting for some grandchildren!

My life motto? Health is wealth.