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Doctor, Doctor: Incredible True Tales from a GP's Surgery
In DOCTOR, DOCTOR, Dr Rosemary writes with warmth, humour and honesty as she recalls the stories of 20 of her most memorable patients from her 25 years working as a GP in south London. These include an eco-protestor with appendicitis, an octogenarian nymphomaniac, a teenager in labour with a baby she didn't know about, a lonely ex-coal miner with a chronic chest condition and a middle-aged man who can't quite bring himself to tell her the real problem. Funny, heart-warming and a little bit gory, DOCTOR, DOCTOR reveals the truth about day-to-day life as a GP. Heartbreaking diagnoses, challenging patients and the strong bonds that are formed, Dr Rosemary takes us from the waiting room to the consultation room and lifts the lid on what life as a GP is really like.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
13 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 28, 2019
A light read about the work of a general practitioner. True medical stories are my secret passion, (why do I enjoy them so much?) Anyway, each chapter in this book features a different patient.
Leonard writes in a pleasantly chatty fashion - and with a sense of intimacy which pulls you in and makes you feel a confidante. Two stories particularly stood out for me.
The first was about a woman who made the choice not to have her daughter vaccinated with the MMR vaccine. Tragically the daughter went on to get measles, and measles meningitis. She only just pulled through.
The second story was about an old woman who was a terrible driver. I found this story intriguing because I often find it quite hard to understand the concept of "a sense of entitlement"; and this story was a superb example of someone displaying this attitude. It was about an old lady who insisted on driving, even when she had just had operations to have her knees replaced.... She was a dreadfully reckless driver anyway. She kept breaking speed limits and she kept having accidents, driving up onto the pavement, or ramming her car into other cars. Eventually the doctor threatened to report her to the DVLA*, which drove her into an absolute fury and she flounced off to join another surgery. She sounded utterly impervious to the well-being of other people using the roads.
All in all an enjoyable bedtime read.
* the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.
Leonard writes in a pleasantly chatty fashion - and with a sense of intimacy which pulls you in and makes you feel a confidante. Two stories particularly stood out for me.
The first was about a woman who made the choice not to have her daughter vaccinated with the MMR vaccine. Tragically the daughter went on to get measles, and measles meningitis. She only just pulled through.
The second story was about an old woman who was a terrible driver. I found this story intriguing because I often find it quite hard to understand the concept of "a sense of entitlement"; and this story was a superb example of someone displaying this attitude. It was about an old lady who insisted on driving, even when she had just had operations to have her knees replaced.... She was a dreadfully reckless driver anyway. She kept breaking speed limits and she kept having accidents, driving up onto the pavement, or ramming her car into other cars. Eventually the doctor threatened to report her to the DVLA*, which drove her into an absolute fury and she flounced off to join another surgery. She sounded utterly impervious to the well-being of other people using the roads.
All in all an enjoyable bedtime read.
* the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.
February 8, 2015
This was a quick read -- after finishing David Dosa's book about Oscar the cat, I decided that I wanted to read some more stories from practitioners in the medical field, since goodness knows that I've read my fair share of psychology/psychiatry books! I randomly picked this one up on Amazon for my Kindle, and enjoyed it thoroughly.
Dr. Rosemary tells her stories in a light-hearted, down-to-earth fashion. Any medical words, diagnoses, or abbreviations are explained so the stories are accessible to non-medical readers as well as those in the medical profession. None of her stories are overly gory or give too many details, and while all are somewhat incredible, they are still believable.
Definitely worth having purchased this. :) I think I'm going to look for her other book, Doctor's Notes, to see if it is as good as this one was.
Dr. Rosemary tells her stories in a light-hearted, down-to-earth fashion. Any medical words, diagnoses, or abbreviations are explained so the stories are accessible to non-medical readers as well as those in the medical profession. None of her stories are overly gory or give too many details, and while all are somewhat incredible, they are still believable.
Definitely worth having purchased this. :) I think I'm going to look for her other book, Doctor's Notes, to see if it is as good as this one was.
December 12, 2018
Very quick, fascinating read on a GP with the NHS. Definitely worth reading.
August 27, 2019
Quick read,
Funny,
Real, very real.
And littered with medical information.
Funny,
Real, very real.
And littered with medical information.
October 18, 2017
When going to the visit a doctor everyone is different, some people go and get straight to the point, others dance around what they are really there for. Doctor, Doctor gives us an insight into the diverse range of people our GP’s see every day, we are also treated to some of the more unusual cases Dr Rosemary has faced during her time as a GP in London.
While we do see a small part of Rosemary’s career in the media is it defiantly not the main theme in the book, we get to understand how she began writing for newspapers then progressed to working on the television successfully balancing being a single mother and her career as a working GP and broadcaster with the help of a male nanny for her two boys.
We read about two challenging incidents which could have changed Dr Rosemary’s career, one being a shocking hostage situation during a home visit and the other a complaint to the medical board from a patient who was faking an injury. Another interesting factor we get to see is the level of education some community have regarding their own health.
A chapter discussing the MMR vaccine was intriguing to read, we are shown the direct effect of not having a child vaccinated in the case of young Flora. The herd effect is explained and how it does not work if the majority of people do not have a vaccine, while the chapter is by no means a lecture to get children vaccinated, it is a stark reminder of the possible consequences a badly researched medical paper can have on the general population.
The book shows people need to take responsibility for themselves and their health especially in recent times when the NHS is struggling for funding. While the tales in the book were fascinating I was left wanting more, I’m glad I already have the next one on hand to read!
While we do see a small part of Rosemary’s career in the media is it defiantly not the main theme in the book, we get to understand how she began writing for newspapers then progressed to working on the television successfully balancing being a single mother and her career as a working GP and broadcaster with the help of a male nanny for her two boys.
We read about two challenging incidents which could have changed Dr Rosemary’s career, one being a shocking hostage situation during a home visit and the other a complaint to the medical board from a patient who was faking an injury. Another interesting factor we get to see is the level of education some community have regarding their own health.
A chapter discussing the MMR vaccine was intriguing to read, we are shown the direct effect of not having a child vaccinated in the case of young Flora. The herd effect is explained and how it does not work if the majority of people do not have a vaccine, while the chapter is by no means a lecture to get children vaccinated, it is a stark reminder of the possible consequences a badly researched medical paper can have on the general population.
The book shows people need to take responsibility for themselves and their health especially in recent times when the NHS is struggling for funding. While the tales in the book were fascinating I was left wanting more, I’m glad I already have the next one on hand to read!
August 25, 2012
I've enjoyed this very real and often hilarious account of cases faced by Dr. Rosemary Leonard's GP's surgery! The only downside is that it finished too quickly, I wanted more! I hope there is a second book :) highly recommended!
November 28, 2015
Easy to follow, offers a few laughs and cries.
November 17, 2017
The author writing style makes it sound too fictional.
August 15, 2021
Enjoyable quick read of a GP's experiences, mainly in her role as GP but with a few mentions of her roles as a media doctor. This had been in one of my many TBR piles for ages, but I had to do some tidying including that pile... read in one sitting.
NB My headline paperback has the same picture as the kindle editions.
NB My headline paperback has the same picture as the kindle editions.
October 31, 2023
This is literally incredible. I wanted to read this so when I go to med school interviews I can say I don't want to be a PA because I don't want to work in primary care. How wrong I was. This has made me so interested in primary care and being a GP. Some comments she made felt a tad inappropriate but what can we do?
December 3, 2025
Enjoyed the stories overall, but having the author call patients ugly, fat, and admitting to lying to get difficult patients out of her surgery room was unbecoming of a doctor and left a bitter taste in my mouth on reading.
November 8, 2017
Great read
I enjoyed this book immensely, in fact I would have liked it to be longer . well written,funny and a great insight into the daily rigours of a Doctor.
I enjoyed this book immensely, in fact I would have liked it to be longer . well written,funny and a great insight into the daily rigours of a Doctor.
March 31, 2018
I enjoyed this look into the UK Health system through the eyes of a doctor who really cares about what she does and works hard to balance her working life with her home life.
July 21, 2019
Fun book to read about the life of a GP - picking out a few of the more unusual cases she has had to deal with.
February 3, 2023
Found the tone quite condescending and judgemental towards the patients. I'm not sure I'd want them as my GP
August 12, 2023
Quick, easy read - amusing and well written
February 18, 2026
Life as a doctor.
This book tells of the every day life seen through the eyes of a busy GP.
Very amusing in places.
This book tells of the every day life seen through the eyes of a busy GP.
Very amusing in places.
March 2, 2017
This one had me laughing out loud and reading parts aloud to friends. I found the book on a book exchange shelf at a resort hotel, passed it along to friends, and ordered a copy for myself.
January 3, 2013
Rosemary Leonard writes in a very readable style in this fascinating book. I find it interesting to read about how doctors see their patients and there is something to be gained from the patient’s point of view in reading all of these books.
Doctors don’t always get it right and the author is the first to admit she has made mistakes. Patients don’t always listen to good advice – such as ‘Josh’ the asthma patient. Others don’t actually say what they want to discuss with the doctor because of embarrassment or ignorance.
Some of the cases related here are frightening and others are funny as well as worrying. Patients sometimes think they know better than the doctor and others are just downright rude and aggressive. Cultural and religious beliefs could obstruct medical treatment and may work to the patient’s detriment.
What comes over to me from this and other similar books is that doctors do care about the welfare of their patients but that any consultation is a two way process. The internet may have given patients access to much more information but that doesn’t mean they know all the answers.
Doctors don’t always get it right and the author is the first to admit she has made mistakes. Patients don’t always listen to good advice – such as ‘Josh’ the asthma patient. Others don’t actually say what they want to discuss with the doctor because of embarrassment or ignorance.
Some of the cases related here are frightening and others are funny as well as worrying. Patients sometimes think they know better than the doctor and others are just downright rude and aggressive. Cultural and religious beliefs could obstruct medical treatment and may work to the patient’s detriment.
What comes over to me from this and other similar books is that doctors do care about the welfare of their patients but that any consultation is a two way process. The internet may have given patients access to much more information but that doesn’t mean they know all the answers.
October 22, 2014
A highly insightful book into the life of a GP, and one which I found hilarious to read, practically envisioning myself working at the practice. The setting to me has a serious old school vibe, perhaps it would have been good to have a time period for each of the cases, just to note around when it took place. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book, and will be moving onto the sequel right now!
October 19, 2019
I enjoyed this book of very interesting stories of a G.P's case load. They are authentic and all tell their own short story. It is written in a lighthearted way and easy to read. I would give it 4 & half stars. The only reason that I don't give it five stars is that I would like more stories involving the surgery staff. I look forward to reading more from Rosemary Leonard.
March 15, 2013
I really enjoyed it. I couldn't put it down, it's funny and interesting. Definitely worth a read.
Read
June 28, 2014Good. Review to come.
August 29, 2014
Easy read, informative in parts, but an injection of humour wouldn't have gone amiss.
February 26, 2020
Interesting read, funny in places,couldnt put it down.
January 9, 2019
I didn’t want this to end! I find books like this so intriguing- delving into the world of a GP and hearing all the patients’ individual stories (some of them being very funny!). Can’t wait to read the next one from Rosemary!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews