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THE SUPPORTER

By Alex Thain
Contact the author via Chris Johnstone by e-mail at christopher.johnstone@ntlworld.com

"Don't believe it all,
Find out for yourself.
Check before you spread,
News of the world"
from News of the World
by the Jam

It was an ordinary day in an ordinary surgery in the North of Scotland some three weeks after a very turbulent spell. The turbulence concerned a Fatal Accident Enquiry which mainly involved our hospital colleagues but impinged on General Practice. It's still not over so I'll not tempt a Contempt of Court over it. Suffice to say that an Aberdeen based daily "newspaper" chose to print a very selective version of events, complete with a suitably negative headline.

However, the insight on this particular day came from Jim* whose complex family I have known for many many years. Jim was calm when he sat down and proceeded to progress the business of the day. We started with his BP which we hadn't checked for a while despite his treatment. We then moved gently along to his metacarpal osteoarthritis which was actually well controlled on his NSAI.

It became apparent that his body language was changing; increasing signs of frustration and anger were seeping gently from him. We moved smoothly along to his wife's hip replacement and were heading for a smooth end after an account of their visit to Australia. Jim's non-verbals were leaking badly by now, totally out of keeping with the conversation. Still no clue…

"Anything else I can help with today Jim?" I enquired after his antipodean tale

"No thanks Doc" replied Jim, anger signs flowing at all levels.

He got up to leave and hesitated at the door, fists clenched and knuckles tight. I'd never seen him so angry. I gave him my best "it's ok to tell me" micro-cues, fascinated and apprehensive in equal measure. Finally the dam burst…

"It's about the court case Doc!" he barked.

Visions of my press pasting rose uncomfortably.

"It's a bloody disgrace" he shouted.

More silence from me...

"You guys have a difficult enough job to do without that sort of rubbish! How could anyone expect a GP to deal with something like that! It's got me and the wife really worked up! I just wanted to say how sorry we were and we think you've done a great job for the family for years"

Suddenly, the enormity of his outburst began to dawn and he began to look awkward. I have to say that my first emotion was one of relief and a need to rescue him from the discomfort. We chatted a little and I thanked him for his astute interpretation of the report and for his ongoing support.

Reflecting later, I felt a little humbled and indeed supported by this patient who had felt strongly enough to overcome his own discomforts and lend his support to me. He had certainly made a great effort at considerable personal risk and cost. I appreciate it greatly and it reminds me that the world isn't necessarily after our blood.

As far as I am aware, his views were never reported in the press.

*As always, not his real name.

Other hoolet online articles by Alex Thain can be found at:
hoolet edition 50 - A Fairy Tale
hoolet edition 49 - A Tale of Two Addicts
hoolet edition 48 - The Supporter
hoolet edition 47 - Cannon Fodder
hoolet edition 46 - The Commercial Imperative Alternative
hoolet edition 46 - The Commercial Imperative Assassin
hoolet edition 45 - A Lateral Thought
hoolet edition 44 - The Watching
hoolet edition 43 - The Child Within
hoolet edition 42 - If Kipling were a GP
hoolet edition 42 - Of Directors, Philosophers and Poets
hoolet edition 40- Of Knees and Knickers
hoolet edition 39- Neighbour meets Norton
hoolet edition 38- Embarrassment
hoolet edition 37- From the Book of Negotiators
hoolet edition 36 - Practice Visit By WH Audit
hoolet edition 35 - The Bells, The Bells. . . .
hoolet edition 34 - Talking Urine
hoolet edition 33 - Reflections on Reggie Perrin
hoolet edition 32 - Myth 1 Logic 1
hoolet edition 31 - Poems
hoolet edition 30 - One Size Fits All
hoolet edition 29 - Downwardly Mobile
hoolet edition 28 - From the mouths of babes
hoolet edition 27 - On Losing Their Child

hoolet is the magazine of RCGP Scotland. It is supported intellectually, financially and emotionally by RCGP Scotland.

This issue maintained by Robert Hallam.