Take a Seat

This book encompasses the fascinating 40 year journey in life of someone who just wasn’t your average practicing GP, but someone whose passion and drive were to use his skills and medical ability to bring quality of life to every patient that crossed his path.

He thrives on challenges in every situation and circumstance. Wherever there was a medical need, however big or small, he would jump to take it on! Whatever the complex medical condition was, in whatever culture or country he was operating in, whether in a war zone, an aircraft carrier, an Aboriginal township in Australia, or a community GP practice in Essex, he thrived and wanted to make a difference!

Many of the episodes in this book have been the catalyst of the diverse and interesting career, which have kept many a dinner party enthralled, amused, admired and envied.

Every memoir depicts the enthusiasm and need of the author to achieve the overall ambition … ‘to bring a quality of life’ to all humans that needed his medical help in the best possible way… and to give the reassurance and empathy to make them ‘feel they matter’ and ‘quality of life is essential and priceless’ whatever the circumstance prevails!

After qualifying as doctor at Barts Hospital, London in 1978, Peter spent 16 years as a rural GP practitioner in Tiptree, Essex.

Seeking new challenges, he spent the next two years in Western Australia working as a flying doctor, mainly in Aboriginal communities.

On returning to the UK, he gained a commission in the Royal Navy as a surgeon commander which included various postings in Europe, and deployments to Afghanistan, Malawi and the Gambia.

He became the last serving ship’s doctor on HMS Ark Royal aircraft carrier before the ship was decommissioned in 2011, followed by several years as a medical repatriation doctor visiting 50+ countries.

What has evolved is an interesting ‘journey in life’ and many stories need to be shared, some amusing, many life-changing, many very unusual, but mostly rewarding for his patients and him.