“I usually give my mobile number to patients and tell them to ring if they have a problem, much to the horror of my colleagues. I’m semi-retired now so don’t mind if people call. Some ring because of the side-effects of the medication, others because they need reassurance or a friendly voice… …My guilty pleasure is the American show Judge Judy, where a real-life judge sorts out people’s domestic disputes. She’s great. She sees things as they are, cuts to the chase and offers a practical solution. Maybe we should invite her to join the NHS”

Mary Haight, Hepatitis Nurse Specialist, Hillingdon Hospitals Foundation Trust

Useful link: Here’s the form you need to nominate someone for a National Honour.

*** UPDATE: 5 March 2017 ***

From the perspective of the more uncomfortable chair in your consult room:

“And after my family physician told me to go directly to A&E and check in, his presence startled me as I spoke with the triage nurse. Knowing that I had no family in the city, he gave me his home telephone number and told me to call if I felt that I needed to. I never used it; the solace it gave me was enough. I am not advocating that everyone do these things or that it becomes routine in your practice. These are examples, both large and small, of doctors and nurses who have made a difference in my life“