TV MEDIC’S NEW SERIES SEES HIM TAKE THE CAMERAS INTO
“And if we did manage that better, we would do better for our patients, and they would face their conditions very differently and more positively.
“The big revelation often in this show is [patients] come in with a medical problem that’s really a manifestation of troubles within.”
He recognises that shining a torch on mental health in such a way might raise eyebrows, however.
“There’s no criticism of medicine there,” he’s quick to insist. “[But] I do have a criticism of the way the system makes us practise things.
“I have the luxury of time, which busy NHS doctors [don’t]. How on earth can a GP possibly, in the eight minutes they have to see their patients, do the best for that patient? And that’s not the fault of the GP, it’s the fault of the system – this ridiculous system we’ve got. If I could change anything, it would be to give patients 20 minutes with their GPs, or longer.” Can he see that ever happening? status to speak on delicate issues outbr “We are our own worst enemy!” could also spell disaster, he says. world he exclaims, chuckling. “What “You need to be aware of what nons
you don’t know – and not enough “D Dr Christian Will See You Now really frustrates me is the way that
you cannot criticise the NHS. It is people are,” quips the academic, belief isTwaneight-partseries,setinawhograduatedin2000fromon state-of-the-art clinic fitted with a a sacred, wonderful thing that
University College London, having fixed camera rig, that follows must stay exactly the way it is,
trained in general medicine, Jessen as he diagnoses, counsels which is just perverse and will
infectious disease, travel medicine and treats patients who need his kill it.
and sexual health/HIV. help, in addition to supporting “It needs radically to be
“I’m going to name names and their loved ones too. overhauled and changed, but
say someone like Gwyneth “We’ve all seen illnesses, but the you’re not allowed to do that and
Paltrow, who writes utter guff on effect they have on people and if I say anything vaguely critical,
her ridiculous blog that is just their partners and relationships is there’s the whole social media...”
painful to read! I wish she would really quite profound, and can get he notes, shaking his head.
stick to what she knows, which is a really out of control,” he says. “I don’t have a ‘Save our NHS’
horrible slightly misogynistic and “It’s the bit, I suppose, you think badge on my Twitter page on
patronising thing to say, but it’s you can’t talk to your doctor purpose, because I actually think
also true! about, but actually, it should be while the sentiment’s great, the
“It’s very damaging when what we do,” insists the Londonend point is frightening.”
celebrities say, ‘Vaccines kill your born medic. Celebrities using their starry
kids’, and suddenly we’ve got com thing (“I ju antiv aret worl Is h “I d he sa and f