Page 75 of The Night Shift
‘Oh, that,’ said Violet. ‘Yes, it was Mr Jacobs. All I said was that his blood pressure was a bit low due to his medication and that might make him a bit wobbly. I thought maybe that particular day wasn’t the best time to assess his ability coming down a flight of stairs.’
‘Hmmm,’ said Dr Corbishley. ‘Says here that you told our colleague that if she wanted Mr Jacobs to end up with a hip fracture and concussion she was going the right way about it?’ He raised his eyebrows in her direction.
Violet’s mouth formed a little ‘oh’ shape. ‘Yes,’ she said. ‘That sounds like something I might say. And– uhm– I can see that perhaps it was unduly combative. Truthful, but maybe I could have been more diplomatic.’
‘Excellent,’ said Dr Corbishley as he scribbled something on the sheet of paper. ‘I can report back to this colleague that you have had a chance to reflect on your use of language, yes? And perhaps might moderate your tone in future– even if you are essentially just pointing out something that is factually correct, yes?’
‘Yes.’ She was watching as he scanned the second sheet of paper.
‘And this one,’ he said eventually, ‘is almost completely incomprehensible. To be honest, I suspect this person was just having a bad day and took exception to being asked to clear up after a procedure.’
‘Oh, that’s the phlebotomist who left the sharps tray right next to a patient’s breakfast,’ said Violet. ‘I may have been a little brisk with him.’
‘Sounds like you probablyshouldhave been little brisk,’ said Dr Corbishley, reading through the rest of the email. ‘Itsoundsas though you were simply paying due attention to good health and safety. Hmmm.’ He looked up at Violet. ‘I don’t think there’s much to be said about that one. People don’t like being told off, no matter what tone you take.’
‘No, but I suppose there may have been a reason he left the sharps tray,’ said Violet, wanting to demonstrate that she’d given the situation some thought and was capable of modifying her reaction if needed. ‘Maybe he was called away to help with another patient?’
‘Hmm.’ Dr Corbishley had a dubious expression. He scribbled something on the paper. ‘Leave that one with me,’ he said smiling. ‘Now– onto the good news.’
‘There really is good news? I presumed you were just trying to soften the blow.’One of those instances when people don’t say what they really mean, was what she had thought to herself.
‘No, no, Violet, I wouldn’t deliberately mislead you.’ He rummaged in the stack of papers again, smiling triumphantly as he brandished the sheaf he wanted. ‘I have here a letter from a Mrs Jenson, the daughter-in-law of a patient of yours, I believe? Outlining your many excellent qualities and expressing her gratitude with all you did regarding, erm, John’s Campaign and in acknowledging Mrs Jenson’s needs as regards her dementia.’
‘Oh, that’s nice,’ said Violet, her cheeks pink with surprise.
‘Indeed. And nicer still, I haveanotherletter from a Mrs Chambers asking if I could add a request to her notes to state that whenever she needs a new cannula siting it could be done by the “kind young doctor with the gentle hands”– which I believe is you?’
‘It might be me, I suppose,’ said Violet, the tips of her ears now pink and hot.
Dr Corbishley scanned the letter. ‘Oh, I think it definitely is. She says, “the pretty doctor with the short hair”– says you were discussing her planned cruise to the Caribbean?’
‘Oh, yes, well that is me then,’ said Violet, beaming. ‘That’s very kind of her.’
‘Yes– completely impossible of course. Mrs Chambers will simply have to take her chances with whichever tremulous junior doctor is available at the time, but nice that she feels you are competent, and reassuring.’
Violet didn’t know what to say to this. She had an odd feeling in her chest and it took a moment to recall when she’d last experienced it. She thought it might have been when she was awarded a commendation in her medical final exams– that was it. The feeling was pride. It seemed to have been a while since she felt proud of herself.
‘But last, and by no means least,’ said Dr Corbishley, ‘is the detailed and evidenced praise from a colleague who has been working closely with you this past week. Staff nurse Cindy Dellagio. Ward ten.’ His eyes scanned the first page and overleaf. ‘She mentions your excellent attitude, your support, and mostly your attentiveness to those patients who don’t necessarily seek out attention but who benefit enormously from it. She says how much she has enjoyed working with you, and when I add this to the comments that Anjali has made over the past few months, I’m happy to say that I’m extremely impressed.’
‘You are?’
He smiled. ‘Yes, Violet. Your dedication, knowledge and attitude to work is exceptional, and while it is important to reflect on complaints and take steps to improve where possible, do not make the mistake of dwelling on them. You’ll never make everyone happy. A good doctor does not have to be friends with everyone. Sometimes you are the bearer of bad news and sometimes you need to put your foot down if you feel a patient’s health or well-being may be at risk.’ He handed her the sheaf of papers. ‘It seems you have the balance right, Violet. Here, take these, you can keep them for your appraisal.’
‘Thank you,’ she said, rising from her chair. And then she paused. She wanted to leave on a positive, but she had to know. ‘There’s nothing else is there? Nothing from a Mr Snell, for example?’
Dr Corbishley frowned. ‘Mr Snell in general surgery,’ he said. ‘No– nothing. Why?’
Violet sighed. She didn’t want to say anything but she couldn’t have Barney holding this over her forever. ‘It’s just that he caught me kissing a colleague in one of the ward offices,’ she said in a rush. ‘It was a stupid thing to do and I’m terribly sorry.’
Dr Corbishley considered this for a moment and Violet closed her eyes praying that she hadn’t just sent her career down the plughole.
‘Hmm,’ he said eventually. ‘Kissing someone in an office, you say. Was patient care compromised at all as a result of this little indiscretion?’
‘No, definitely not.’
‘Well.’ He shrugged. ‘I dare say worse breaches in protocol have occurred, many of them within the surgical department, so I imagine Mr Snell will not be feeling the need to draw it to my attention. But Violet…’
‘Yes.’
