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Country Doctor #3
Diary of a Rural GP: Hilarious True Stories from a Country Practice
''Yes, I know it contravenes every rule in the book... lucky I threw that out years ago.'' Recently retired, Dr Sparrow reveals with refreshing candour and dark humour the most memorable experiences of his career as a rural GP on the Devon/Cornwall border. From sewing a patient's finger back on during a call-out, to the emergency countryside delivery inspired by James Herriot, to suddenly remembering the body left in the back of a Volvo, and a small oversight that blew up the local crematorium, Dr Sparrow spares no blushes. Dr Michael Sparrow charted an unconventional course from the immaturity and uncertainty of life as a medical student, through hospital jobs and a six-year spell in the Royal Air Force, to the immaturity and uncertainty of life as a rural GP. He lives on the Devon/Cornwall border, after retiring as the region's longest serving GP.
224 pages, Paperback
Published December 10, 2020
About the author
Michael Sparrow
9 books3 followersRural GP and author Dr Michael Sparrow a long serving current GP in West Devon and East Cornwall - has also had some success with his tales of medical mayhem while serving as a doctor in the RAF, in hospitals and as a local GP.
Originally from Northamptonshire, Michael qualified in 1981 from St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington. He joined the RAF and served as a medical officer at RAF Chivenor in North Devon, working with the search and rescue crews. A spell in South Wales was followed by a posting to Belize, in Central America.
Originally from Northamptonshire, Michael qualified in 1981 from St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington. He joined the RAF and served as a medical officer at RAF Chivenor in North Devon, working with the search and rescue crews. A spell in South Wales was followed by a posting to Belize, in Central America.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 2, 2023
"Practising medicine is not always about being right, or about being defensive when you are wrong. It's about doing the best you can, as often as you can, and taking the time to look after your patients as human beings in their own right"
This was a random book to start off my 2023 but my dad got me it for Christmas last year (thinking I might like to one day become a rural GP - EMMA!!) and I thought why not read it now 🤷♀️
I would say the book was very insightful into the difference between medicine in large cities compared to that in a rural setting - something I haven't yet experienced. It was also interesting to see how much medicine has changed since Dr Sparrow first qualified to now. Some of the stories were a bit shocking (almost unbelievable) and the reason why I gave this 2.5 stars was mostly because the sense of humour didn't really work for me... it was a quick and easy read though!
February 28, 2022
Despite what it says on the cover , Non of this was
“ hilarious “
“ hilarious “
September 30, 2021
Country GP
A bit too much dead bodies and disrespect, some of it was amusing but it irritated me a bit sorry!
A bit too much dead bodies and disrespect, some of it was amusing but it irritated me a bit sorry!
September 22, 2022
A relatively light read but with some dark undertones. The humour didn't quite land with me but I suspect might with others.
August 22, 2023
It's a long way from Wellingborough Grammar
I came across these books a while ago by accident and was interested in the subject matter and the author. Many years ago, I was an Australian kid whose father got posted to the U.K. for several years. We initially lived in a market town called Wellingborough. I ended up attending Wellingborough Grammar (even after the family moved across the border to another county). Being an Aussie in a provincial English town in the late 60's had its challenges - not least of which was a view among several class mates, that because I was from the colonies I must be backward (although sport was the great equalizer). In any event, the school punched above its weight in terms of scholastic achievement, largely due to the headmaster - Harold Wren. I wasn't the dumbest kid in my class and I certainly wasn't the smartest (as Sparrow's father would attest!) - that honor belonged to Michael Sparrow. In fact, he was not only the smartest kid in class - he was the smart-aleck'est.
So, it's no great surprise that he became a doctor with an attitude and has led an interesting life, albeit as a local GP rather than a fancy schmancy specialist. The world needs more GP's (at least they do in the US where I now live). It's about 300 miles from Wellingborough to Cornwall - but it's a world away in terms of the local habitat and customs. This book (and its predecessors) takes an outsiders look at the locals and their habits and maladies. I suspect that 30 years on, Sparrow is still viewed as an interloper. The stories are all brief vignettes of the quirks of the locals and the locale. They are mostly quite amusing and make for a good vacation read. While it may not have been his objective, I wanted to come away with an appreciation of life in that particular part of the world (much as James Herriot did for the Yorkshire Dales). And .... I did.
I came across these books a while ago by accident and was interested in the subject matter and the author. Many years ago, I was an Australian kid whose father got posted to the U.K. for several years. We initially lived in a market town called Wellingborough. I ended up attending Wellingborough Grammar (even after the family moved across the border to another county). Being an Aussie in a provincial English town in the late 60's had its challenges - not least of which was a view among several class mates, that because I was from the colonies I must be backward (although sport was the great equalizer). In any event, the school punched above its weight in terms of scholastic achievement, largely due to the headmaster - Harold Wren. I wasn't the dumbest kid in my class and I certainly wasn't the smartest (as Sparrow's father would attest!) - that honor belonged to Michael Sparrow. In fact, he was not only the smartest kid in class - he was the smart-aleck'est.
So, it's no great surprise that he became a doctor with an attitude and has led an interesting life, albeit as a local GP rather than a fancy schmancy specialist. The world needs more GP's (at least they do in the US where I now live). It's about 300 miles from Wellingborough to Cornwall - but it's a world away in terms of the local habitat and customs. This book (and its predecessors) takes an outsiders look at the locals and their habits and maladies. I suspect that 30 years on, Sparrow is still viewed as an interloper. The stories are all brief vignettes of the quirks of the locals and the locale. They are mostly quite amusing and make for a good vacation read. While it may not have been his objective, I wanted to come away with an appreciation of life in that particular part of the world (much as James Herriot did for the Yorkshire Dales). And .... I did.
March 20, 2022
Fun
Easy to read and he managed to bring his life as a GP, as a true calling!
Will read the others in the series
Easy to read and he managed to bring his life as a GP, as a true calling!
Will read the others in the series
May 21, 2025
A r
aw account of life in the rural community, and how logistics ultimately mean the very sick will likely die before reaching a hospital.
aw account of life in the rural community, and how logistics ultimately mean the very sick will likely die before reaching a hospital.
August 21, 2022
Recently retired, Dr Sparrow reveals with refreshing candour and dark humour the most memorable experiences of his career as a rural GP.
From the call-out where he sewed a patient’s chiselled finger back on, to the emergency countryside delivery inspired by James Herriot, to suddenly remembering the body he left in the back of a Volvo. Not to mention a small oversight that blew up the local crematorium.
Dr Sparrow's adventures along the Devon/Cornwall border would be utterly unbelievable were they not 100% true. His bedside manner may sometimes leave a little to be desired but if you're in dire straits this doctor will have you in stitches.
A good read, not read this author before and found I enjoyed every chapter. Working in the NHS and having worked all through the corona virus 2019 pandemic on a dedicated covid unit, I’ve seen a lot of death. So I could understand how some people may say some parts are disrespectful, however, when your in a situation and the situation does not unfold as expected, you just need to roll with it.
I will read Sparrow’s other titles as for me this kept me sane on my breaks whilst on night shift in a VERY busy emergency department/
From the call-out where he sewed a patient’s chiselled finger back on, to the emergency countryside delivery inspired by James Herriot, to suddenly remembering the body he left in the back of a Volvo. Not to mention a small oversight that blew up the local crematorium.
Dr Sparrow's adventures along the Devon/Cornwall border would be utterly unbelievable were they not 100% true. His bedside manner may sometimes leave a little to be desired but if you're in dire straits this doctor will have you in stitches.
A good read, not read this author before and found I enjoyed every chapter. Working in the NHS and having worked all through the corona virus 2019 pandemic on a dedicated covid unit, I’ve seen a lot of death. So I could understand how some people may say some parts are disrespectful, however, when your in a situation and the situation does not unfold as expected, you just need to roll with it.
I will read Sparrow’s other titles as for me this kept me sane on my breaks whilst on night shift in a VERY busy emergency department/
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews