Update as at March 2019

The year is back in full swing, the schools are back and the “business as usual” marches on. I am thankful that I work in such a interesting role that never are two hours let alone two days the same! So this week I see a patient with a complaint I’ve never dealt with before, and so I am reminded that I am always learning and always intrigued by the diverse patient presentations we see.
I’ve just had two weeks holiday, one week back home on Pitt Island and one week on the Chathams. Great place to go to recharge your batteries as there is no cell phone coverage and no internet at the place I was staying at on Pitt Island. So you have to stop and “smell the roses”, or more appropriately just experience daily living at a slower pace. My time “out” gave me the opportunity to stop, reflect and consider my busy life in South Canterbury. Yes I love what I do, but there has to be the balance between work and play (apparently). As I have previously eluded to, in an earlier post, that depends on what one sees as work or play. Anyway I decided that the business of General Practice demands a certain amount of time that is non negotiable as an owner. So, it’s a matter of delegating where appropriate, having a system that allows dedicated paperwork time during working hours and taking the breaks when they are possible. The other “flashing lights” that occurred to me was that I needed to book the next break immediately on my return to work in order to manage the year. I have learned not to wait until the burn-out symptoms start before desperately trying to take time off. Instead, PRE PLAN, and get in before hand! Makes it a whole lot easier to arrange locum cover also if done well in advance. July- booked!