My Dad died. It happened in 2022, long after my Mother had gone. In the final few years, he lived with my sister. He remained remarkable fit until he was 90, then he gradually died, always good humoured, until he final passed away aged 94. He had a good life. This blog is my tribute […]
At Windsor House, years later.
By Catherine Robinson on 4th November 2024 in Mental Health, Psychiatry, Service User, Uncategorised
It is now fifty years since I started working at the Brook Hospital in Woolwich, and more than forty years since I picked up my Springfield Hospital pager on my first day as a psychiatric trainee. I have done a lot of different things as a psychiatrist. Amongst them, I am most proud of what […]
I had a stroke
I have a good excuse for the hiatus in this blog. Firstly, my Dad went and died. Not a great surprise (he was 94 years old), but he was my loyalest fan. He thought this blog was great. Then I had a stroke, which sounds alarming, and for a while, it was. Mainly, “a stroke” […]
“I’ve had such a curious dream” said Alice
On Monday, I was presented with an award by Alistair Campbell, who himself was given an award in the same ceremony. As it was all over my Twitter feed for a few hours (and has attracted some light trolling), I might as well acknowledge it. At present, there is a banner photo at the top […]
Carthage must be destroyed
Back in July 2017, the Welsh Government announced that the introduction of a minimum unit price for alcohol would be part of their legislative programme in the coming year. Today, the Public Health (Minimum Price for Alcohol) (Wales) Bill has been put before the Welsh Assembly. This is really good news, but minimum unit pricing […]
Small betrayals, Isaac Newton, John Milton and me
Most people might think that Isaac Newton and John Milton have very little in common with me, but they would be wrong. Despite some disparities with regard to stature within our chosen fields of endeavour, we belong to a select group. We (I like to think of the three of us as ‘we’) are all […]
One step forward, two steps back
I was never entirely sure about my mother’s attitude to religion, as she often criticised my father for being too dogmatic in his atheism. When she was dying, I asked her if she wanted any religious element in her funeral. “Of course I don’t!” she snapped back, “what would I want that for?” Then she […]
We have been here before
As I write, the news is dominated by the Grenfell Tower disaster. Yesterday it was confirmed that in the recent refurbishment flammable plastic cladding was installed rather than the recommended fire-proof alternative. This gave rise to a saving of £2/square metre. It is far too soon to say whether this was the main reason for […]
“Can I just check that your health insurance is up to date?”
Much of my time is now spent staring at a computer screen, and consequently information technology has inexorably put me back in touch with my contemporaries from medical school. I am sorry to report that there appears to be an epidemic of occupational burnout within the group. My Facebook feed is alive with news of […]
The Lonesome West
Amid a world-wide shift in political alignment, we have yet another once-in-a-generation call to the ballot box. Tony Blair cannot bring himself to support Jeremy Corbyn to be Prime Minister. Tony Blair is extraordinary, even amongst a group of people as unusual as ex-Prime Ministers. I find him every bit as unlikeable as Donald Trump. […]