As one enters, another leaves

Not Dr Genesis' baby

The NHS gets a pretty bad press. Journalists seem to take delight in twisting the knife into our healthcare system. Then the same journalists make an appointment to see their GP about their "snuffly cold I've had for a few days".

It's true that there are some pretty awful doctors out there. Some of what Dr Genesis did in hospital was subtly prevent certain doctors from seeing his patients, while gently coercing others to offer their opinion. Surgeons are not all the same calibre for example. It is important to see the right surgeon.

But then occasionally something will happen which restores Dr Genesis' faith in the NHS. Just the other day I saw a tiny baby with his new mummy. He was tiny. Really tiny. The mum explained. At just 24 weeks, her waters broke. She happened to be in central Sometown, fortunately near to a large hospital with a neonatal intensive care. She went into labour a week later. By good fortune, a miracle maybe (does Dr Genesis believe in miracles?) the wee nipper survived. After 2 months on intensive care, then another month in hospital he is at home with his mummy. Technically he is 38 weeks gestation. He shouldn't even be on this earth.

All of this care, without having to open their wallets. Try your luck going into labour at 25 weeks in America. Or in southern Europe. Or anywhere in the developing world.

On my drive back to the practice today after a home visit, I passed the flat of the lady who I certified dead from lung cancer a few months ago. I remembered how I broke the news to her daughter, who promptly burst into tears.