The annual medical

Last week my ageing Volvo passed its MOT and yesterday was my turn to present myself at my doctor for mine. I like my doctor, whom one might describe as old school, very much. He does not spend the consultation peering into his computer like many a GP but engages in eye to eye contact listening patiently. We have a general discussion first about health issues often straying into how his beloved Quins are faring. He then conducts a thorough examination picking up on any points I raise. For example, I mentioned two falls in which I failed to notice an elevated plinth. I feared this might be a motor neurone problem but he assured me that peripheral vision can be less acute even after a successful cataract replacement. We still wait the blood tests so I won’t tempt fate but from what he saw and examined he pronounced me fit and well.

I happened to mention that ex-England scrum half and now broadcaster Matt Dawson has Lyme’s disease as did the nephew of a good friend of mine. I said how difficult this must be to diagnose.

He replied that recently 4 blood tests had revealed this ailment which can in severe cases lead to the sufferer being invalided and in almost every case feeling tired and run down without knowing why. It’s caused by a tick bite and I read that in areas where it is prevalent like the New Forest a thorough shower is recommended.

Because my father was a doctor and did not wish to be troubled by any illness once he was home and my mother was stoic with a high pain threshold, I certainly was never precious, let lone a hypochondriac.

The good doctor had recently diagnosed a shoulder inflamation as polymyalgia and after a course of steroids it reduced. He was pleased to hear that I was managing this. My attitude is I would rather be in discomfort  than have the side effects from steroids.

I really look for two qualities in a doctor. Firstly, the ability to diagnose. Given his experience there is more chance of him recognising the more obscure illness or the symptom of something which might be more serious. Secondly, an appropriate reference to a consultant/specialist in terms of expertise and cost.

All the consultants he has recommended to date I had liked and rated.

I appreciate that my doctor does not deliver gloom-filled strictures on being overweight but gently directs the discussion to the benefits I might experience with better diet and weight loss.