Post the first

OK, so, friends of mine have been have been saying for a while that I should write a blog from the inside of fortress NHS.

Today, the really slow gynaecologist managed to finish his 5 hour operating list (2 patients) in 3 hours - woo-hoo! Then, the bad news. His colleague had booked 4 hours of operating for a 3 hour list: a 1 hour case, and a 3 hour case; starting with the 1 hour. This patient phoned in, saying she'd eaten that morning (no anaesthetic for you, then). The Surgeon, Mr X (so he shall be called), told her to come in anyway - "She can't be cancelled, it's urgent!" My anaesthetist says: "Tough, it's not safe to operate until 5, and I finish then - not staying!"

Anyway, needless to say, Mr X then proceeded to take the full 3 hours to complete a relatively uncomplicated operation. Meh, at least I managed to teach a student about N2O, do some stocking up, and the Times crossword (easy one, I'm afraid).

Finally, today, a question of etiquette - Mouse has an interview coming up, and hasn't told work. He has also told the interviewing hospital not to seek a reference until after the interview. When do I tell them?