January

 The doctor will NOT see you.

Seeing your doctor used to be easy. A phone call, the date  fixed.and in the surgery you would have anunrushed diagnosis and decinion on treatment. No cost, no hsstle. Quiet confidence and satisfaction,

J. When you got to know each other the doctor could become a friend. That was the case with my father who had long spells of illness after an accident at work.

The doctor was a regular caller where he find time to chat. He even helped Dad fill in his weekly football

In Cardiff our family were fortunate to have my cousin Don Dymond, the perfect GP with a comforting ‘bedside manner’ 

Mespecially withbchiodren who he kept happy by his hobby as a magician, reported in the local paper.

Even more useful, for many years doctors on call came out p, usually very promptly, and very reassuring. 

How time have changed. There are       Few and there is getting increasingly difficult to get an appointment with far fewer.home calls.

If our yeas ago when I had a sudden se5iiud viral illnessvpInwas fortunate to have the doctor at our door in minutes and my immediate transfer to hospital.

The situation had been deteriorating for years. Our pal oval surgery combined with another,mcreatingbovercrowding andvdelay to ge an appointment Often took over half an hour at 8.30;€am followed by a long wait at the surgery.

And it is getting worse. It is better to keep well.