In praise of on call?

My not too long retired senior partners can recall clashing forceps and chloroform in the back streets of Burton. As I am gently eased out of time consuming obstetric care I sense a vague feeling of disquiet.

I have spent this bank holiday on call. I have been working in an urban 10 000 patient practice for the past 10 years. During the 24 hours I saw 16 patients—a few more …