Category Archives: Night Shift

‘Hi, it’s the medical registrar. You called?’ ‘Yes, my name is Effy, I’m a nurse calling from the Chartwell Unit.’ Philippa Haven had no idea where that was. Hospital tours were noticeable for their absence at inductions. Honestly, the lack of common-sense was mind-boggling. ‘One of our patients is unwell. Justin is doing a bloodContinue reading “Chapter Seven”

Shortly after Jonathan Wickshaw’s death… Philippa Haven took a few deep breaths and unfolded a sheet of paper from her dress pocket. She read the sentences three times over and felt her throat begin to swell up with horror. The riddle continued to make no sense except for the final, haunting line – one whichContinue reading “Chapter Six”

The moment was one that always felt as if a switch had been flicked, when emotions at opposite ends of spectra came into play, transferring from one person to another. When a doctor became worthy enough to debut holding the medical registrar bleep, it was both a frightening yet proud occasion. But that usually changedContinue reading “Chapter Five”

20:00 The hospital was a twenty-minute walk from the accommodation. By car, it was doable in less than five. Tonight, Philippa Haven chose the latter method of getting to work. For a moment, she sat in silence. The warmth of her hatchback’s interior was like a friend visiting from abroad. Here they were clinging toContinue reading “Chapter Four”

The Education Centre, where the local induction was being held was supposedly the newest part of the hospital but it hardly lived up to that hype. The fresh white paint struggled to conceal the jaundiced undercoats and the floor was in desperate need of a thorough hoovering. A set of automatic doors played open sesameContinue reading “Chapter Three”

Eight hours earlier… ‘The National Health Service is not how it once was,’ said Dr Steer. ‘I have been a consultant for nearly thirty years and for the twelve of you sitting here today, your role as a medical registrar has turned into a peculiar one. The modern registrar is burdened with more administrative tasksContinue reading “Chapter Two”

Wednesday 2nd October 2019 23:00 The odour of death was rife on the ward. It lingered between the seven members of the team; their weariness epitomised by the faint rods of light above the bed. They glanced at each other with the same burning question: could they have done more? Death was commonplace in hospitalsContinue reading “Chapter One”