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Doctor in the House

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The inimitable curiosity of a boy whose cactus has left his hand in a mess. A distraught woman who regrets not going to see a GP sooner. More Googled self-diagnoses than one can count. This is the life of a doctor in the British capital.

After three years as one of London’s emergency doctors - a full-time night-time GP doing the house calls that no-one else wants to do - Alex Rudd has switched to working in surgeries. Rudd travels to a different place surgery each day, helping those struggling to cope with patient numbers and seeing those that might not otherwise be seen. With limited time to spend on each patient, he must walk the difficult line between caring for patients and diagnosing and prescribing efficiently. Hilarious diagnoses mix with genuine tragedies as Rudd sees a variety of patients, with all sorts of medical conditions.

In the follow-up to his first medical memoir, London Confessions of a Doctor in the Capital , Rudd presents us with another memorable window into the world of the freelance GP today, and the challenges they face. With moments that stir admiration and sadness, this timely and insightful memoir is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.

Alex Rudd is a GP who now works as a locum in a variety of surgeries in London and the rest of the country. His name has been changed to protect the identity of his patients and colleagues.

88 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 2, 2015

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Alex Rudd

3 books1 follower

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Community Reviews

5 stars
269 (39%)
4 stars
225 (32%)
3 stars
135 (19%)
2 stars
43 (6%)
1 star
11 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
Profile Image for Gail.
1,876 reviews18 followers
November 29, 2018
Not interesting

I did not find this book interesting. To me it seems like the stories were incomplete and that the author was just ramb!ing to complete the book. His first book is better. I really don't recommend either book.
Profile Image for Mikki.
584 reviews5 followers
September 7, 2022
As I always love to read anecdotal life stories from people in the medical or veterinary professions, factual with a good dose of humor thrown is, this short book was the right mix of it all. I would've liked to have read more. Maybe Dr Rudd will write a full-length memoir (or series of books) at some point.

This book also reminded me of one of the main reasons I left the UK in 2007: too many inhabitants 'competing' for time in an ever shrinking pool of professional services. The NHS is envied as a system in other countries but, as I tell people, it's overstretched - and likely abused by those who don't really need to see a doctor. There's no way of discouraging time-wasters. Still, I guess a doctor will have to see everybody who makes an appointment and they will likely be able to weed out those who don't have to be there, who should not be in the doctor's office at all.
13 reviews
October 27, 2018
That's about it.

Being a nurse I love medical stories, and this is no exception. From t h e original to the exceptional, I love my patients and am never bored. Thank you Dr. Rudd for a glimpse inside the surgery.
270 reviews4 followers
April 6, 2019
London's Docs

Things are different in London, their Doctors, the way they treat and how they handle people. Then there is the same caring, responsible treatment that American Doctors do.
Profile Image for Danielle.
170 reviews9 followers
August 26, 2019
It was interesting but I'm glad I didn't pay for it as it was short. Also don't think it was proof read, or of it was it was not very well. There were quite a few errors, more so towards the end of the book, with missing words, sentences not quite making sense, grammatical errors. It's irritating.
Profile Image for Emma Boultby.
195 reviews5 followers
June 22, 2020
Another amazing book, by this author, it really makes you see what doctors go through.

How can patients go to the doctor, because, their hamster is poorly? Just because they don't want to pay the vet bills.

Funny in parts, but all true
26 reviews
March 19, 2023
So much better then the first.

Absolutely loved this book, the Author finally got into the swing of things and wrote something that I read in half a day. Thank you for the insight
23 reviews
May 24, 2024
Interesting read.

I was so engrossed in the book that time just went by.
It was interesting seeing life from the other side of the ‘chair’. Alex, to me, seems to have his patients weighed up really well. A great read.
1,388 reviews4 followers
November 9, 2024
The author spent a few months as a GP locum in London. Doctor in the House is a short book with some amusing stories about treating patients and thoughts about dealing with them and the NHS. It’s a great, quick book for anyone interested in the practice of medicine.
156 reviews2 followers
June 3, 2025
Day-by-day for a locum doctor

Another highly readable book from a practising doctor, giving insight into the world of a locum NHS doctor in London. Amusing yet thoughtful and giving you something to think about when it’s your turn to be as patient.
2 reviews
October 30, 2017
Easy Reading

Well written and easy reading, gives real insight to the day to day gp surgery. Looking forward to his next book.
Profile Image for Kathy.
776 reviews
October 8, 2018
Some interesting stories. Some humorous, some sad. A peek into the world of the NHS--not very favorable at that.
43 reviews
October 10, 2018
Medical stories

I loved this book. Being in the nursing profession I enjoy all things medical. These stories were easy to understand and interesting, the life of a doctor.
37 reviews1 follower
October 13, 2018
Meet the doctor

This is an interesting and personal insight into ‘the doctor as real person’. Very readable and respectful, well done, doc.
1 review
November 5, 2018
Easy read

Very easy and peaceful read. Pure pleasure of reading :) perfect for those long autumn evenings with hot tea at the side.
Profile Image for Angela Walker.
39 reviews
December 1, 2018
Brilliant

Wonderful. Kept my interest right from the beginning. Well written and honest. Glad I read it and would recommend other to do so too.
Profile Image for kieran james bassett.
150 reviews4 followers
March 13, 2019
Good read

A good read but did feel slightly that he was trying to put people off seeing there GP not everyone is a timewaster. Some good stories in there though well worth a look.
Profile Image for Fiona Patching.
8 reviews
March 27, 2019
Always funny hearing dr’s stories

2nd book I’ve read. Short but entertaining. Interesting reading the stories that a dr sees. Worth reading if this interests you.
Profile Image for Deborah.
521 reviews40 followers
May 26, 2019
Enjoyable read

I have enjoyed the 2 books in this series. The life of a Doctor in London is varied. As this book is dated 2015 it is time for the follow up.
5 reviews
August 3, 2019
Another interesting read

I read Alex's first book and just had to read the second. Interesting account of being a locum, and what a GP's life is like...
393 reviews1 follower
September 2, 2020
The aim was to give a picture of the life of a sessional gp and he certainly does. Enjoyable, informative and reflective.
Profile Image for k reid.
27 reviews
April 4, 2021
Good

Kept. Me. Entertained for the evening it’s a shame it wasn’t longer. Unbelievable what some people will book a appointment for!
Profile Image for Rachel Rowe.
5 reviews1 follower
June 12, 2021
Quicki

Nice quick read interesting really enjoyed it. I enjoy books like this as I'm able to read quickly 😀, 😀
12 reviews2 followers
February 17, 2022
fabulous

Great read thoroughly enjoyed this book . Can’t wait to read more. I wish I’d read the first book that’s my next stop
Profile Image for Sarah Goymer.
17 reviews
August 11, 2023
2nd book

Interestering follow on of how the story started in the first boook. Good to see if continue and see how things have changed.
Profile Image for Helen Wilson.
40 reviews
September 22, 2024
stepping into a different life

Well written and funny - loved the short story format that let you read bite sized chunks. Always enjoy reading about how others work
Profile Image for Catherine.
49 reviews1 follower
October 9, 2015
Lightsaber short read

With a good pace and punchy stories I enjoyed the harsh honesty of this memoir. I find it flowed well and kept me hooked. No amazing revelations, more like a 'week in the life of'; enjoyable none the less!
Profile Image for Amy.
53 reviews9 followers
June 12, 2015
This book is published by Endeavour Press.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews