“Strangely since the day I left Guy’s to go to my first house job in Guildford, I have seen none of you except Alan Bird who turned up here in New Zealand as a visiting expert in Ophthalmology. I therefore remember all of you as beautiful young people full of energy and dreams. It is with enormous regret that I am not joining you for the re-union next weekend but there is one consolation. In my mind none of us will be one day older – and nor will I.
I have marvelous memories of my time at Guy’s. I still remember the lecture rooms, the path. museum, the library, the dissecting room, and the labs., the wards, the cafeteria and the quad. Many of our teachers were brilliant. Some were delightfully eccentric. Many of their wise words and maxims are still fresh. What I so greatly appreciate is that so much of what they taught me was sound principles rooted in a great history which have stood the test of time even though the specifics have changed.
After three years rotating round the Royal Surrey County Hospital and a year tasting and learning to love general practice I left England to visit my parents who had moved to New Zealand. My intention was to stay for a year but from the first day I felt at home, and took root here in Auckland. I found general practice well organized and resourced so that there was every opportunity to practice good medicine accessible to everyone. I spent 1 year in an affluent suburb, 21 years in a group practice in a poor area and the last 24 years working solo from home. I have no plans to retire from medicine because I so love what I do.
Over the last 20 years I have developed a special interest in ADHD, first among children and now largely in adults, and this has opened up fascinating doors of opportunity to research, write, teach and be an advocate. I had 7 years as a part time Senior Lecturer in General Practice in the Auckland Medical School and have had many students in my practice. I have never forgotten going to John Fry’s practice in Beckenham during my time at Guys which gave me a good yardstick for teaching students.
There has been opportunity to be involved as an examiner and in various management roles in the Royal NZ College of GPs which has given me a taste, but only a taste of medical politics. Two years ago they graciously made me a Distinguished Fellow.
I have to make a confession. I have lived a double life. It began in my second year at Guy’s in which I found a Christian faith with the help of some of you. Beginning in student days and continuing to develop while in Guildford I developed a deep involvement in Christian work among young people. In my first year in New Zealand the openings to share my faith all round the country somehow mushroomed. Only a year after arriving I was looking for a base to give young people training in Christian leadership. I found a beautiful old home in 4 acres of garden on the cliff top overlooking the sea on the edge of the city, and began a programme which has drawn over 3000 students from some 75 countries and continues today.
Right from the start the whole idea was crazy. Was I supposed to be a doctor or a Bible teacher? I have never received an answer so I continue to do both – and it makes sense. Christian teachers often have their heads in the clouds and need down-to-earth reality which medical practice constantly provides. GPs can become cynical because most people don’t take any notice of our good advice so we need a source of lasting hope.
Thirty two years ago I met my amazing Kiwi wife, Christine, who has shared the adventure of our double life. We have two great sons, Nick aged 29, developing strongly as a writer while continuing post-graduate study, and Pete aged 21, still training as an outdoor education instructor and recently awarded the NZ Bravery Medal.
If you want to know more of what we do, we have two websites, www.drhanne.co.nz and www.foweylodge.com which explain a bit of our double life.
Should you find your way to New Zealand, one of the most beautiful and peaceful places on earth, we would be eager to make you at home and show you around. Just one warning. If you look at a globe you will see it is not on the way to anywhere.
Have a great re-union!
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