Tag: doctors

Grumpy Old Man


What do you complain about the most?

Everything and anything.

Aren’t you supposed to get wiser as you grow older ? I don’t recall anyone saying that with increased wisdom comes a marked decline in tolerance levels. I am 72 now, but I think I noted my intolerance building when I hit 60.

I find people, in general, to be rude and impatient. Just the other day, I was waiting 2nd in line to order food in a pub. I opened my mouth to order when a woman stepped past me and started her own order. Once upon a time, I would have said that it was the young that were rude, but these days, I think the older generation doesn’t set very good examples. This person was at least my age, if not older.

When I was young, we were taught to be polite and courteous. I still try to meet those standards, but boy, do I get bent out of shape if I don’t receive the same treatment

Our roads seem to have become more dangerous due to other drivers having forgotten the highway code. Happily tailgating, pushing me because I won’t exceed the speed limit. Not bothering with their indicators, presumably relying on my ability to read their minds and cutting into the safe distance I have left, causing me to have to brake excessively hard.

The driving issue seems to have worsened since the covid lockdowns. Maybe this is just my perception as I was in Australia when it all kicked off, and I spent seven months driving down there in WA. A different style of driving. When I got back to the UK, there were a couple of lockdown periods, and then everyone was back out on the roads. From there on in it seems to me that the UK driving standards have deteriorated.

I think the biggest thing I complain about is the lack of access to doctors. If you want an appointment you have to ring up at 08:00 if it’s urgent, 10:00 for a routine appointment. Woe betide you if you miss that time by a second.

Invariably when you dial you get the engaged tone, you may be lucky and be told you are “number n” in the queue. Then, if you get to speak to a real person you will be told that all appointments for the day are gone.

The online consult system is a joke, and if you happen to have two conditions to discuss with the doctor, you have to go through the whole process twice.

As I said, I spent seven months in WA. I had to sign up for Medicare. Brilliant. I could go on line, see my doctors available appointments, choose one that suited me and then see the doctor.

Six days a week !!! Why can’t we do that here in the UK?

I could go on, but I am sure you all have better things to do than read my rants.

Actually, come to think of it, that’s why you are here.

Admiration Unlimited


What profession do you admire most and why?

My admiration is for all members of the emergency services whoever they may be and regardless of which branch they belong to.

So here below, in no particular order, are the folks that I admire the most.

  • RNLI – Predominantly volunteers. They go out to sea in all weathers, putting their lives at risk to rescue seafarers in danger.
  • Police – Out there, dealing with the low lives and scum, dealing with drink/drug drivers, dealing with the drunks that pour out of the pubs and clubs every night. So often, they are unfairly criticised for doing their jobs.
  • Ambulance / Paramedics – Tending to us in our hours of need. Attending many harrowing scenes on our roads and highways, often the carnage resulting from the misuse of drugs and alcohol. The trauma of what they witness must stay with them for a long long time.
  • Fire Service – Another of our services where they put their lives at risk to rescue us. Whether it be from fire or as is so often the carnage of a road accident. Again they have to deal with the things that we would not want to witness.
  • Nurses / Doctors – And once the police, the paramedics and the fire service have done their bit it’s the turn of the folks in A and E. They work so hard to maintain the lives of those brought before them

All of these folks are not paid enough to put up with the abuse and physical violence that they encounter whilst just doing their jobs.

Whether it be vocal or physical abuse in A&E. Bricks and bottles thrown at fire and ambulance crews or spitting and fisticuffs suffered by the police.

They all do an amazing job for very little in the way of gratitude or respect.

Ladies and gentlemen, I salute you.