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Richard Gordon - Author - Doctor in the House - LBC - Radio -1986
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Richard Gordon - Author - Doctor in the House - LBC - Radio -1986

Richard Gordon Discusses His New Political Novel

Introduction to Richard Gordon

  • Mark Smith introduces Richard Gordon, a writer known for his comic novels about doctors, with the first book published in 1952 and now releasing his 17th installment.

Transition to Political Themes

  • Gordon describes his latest book as a "great political novel," focusing on an MP whose psychiatric report is leaked, reflecting on the intersection of politics and personal narratives.

Insights on Politics and Health

  • He notes that politics allows individuals to align their personal progress with national developments, emphasizing the universal aspiration to be prime minister.
  • Gordon humorously critiques the National Health Service (NHS), suggesting it can be detrimental to health, highlighting bureaucratic inefficiencies since its inception.

Writing Process and Inspiration

  • He shares how writing obituaries taught him fiction techniques, using coded language to convey deeper meanings about people's personalities.
  • Despite concerns about running out of comedic situations for doctors, he believes strong characters can continually generate new stories.

Plot Elements and Character Dynamics

  • The plot involves a doctor entangled in political scandals while dealing with patients in precarious situations, illustrating dark humor within serious themes.
  • The politician character embodies cynicism towards health issues, primarily interested in self-promotion through public healthcare initiatives.

Cynicism in Politics

  • When asked about political cynicism, Gordon refrains from generalizing but portrays politicians as often self-serving regarding public health matters.

Conclusion of Discussion Segment

  • The conversation shifts towards music selection as part of the show format.

The Journey from Medicine to Writing

Early Motivation and Medical Career

  • The speaker reflects on their decision to pursue medicine around 1938, noting the lack of rigorous academic requirements at that time.
  • Emphasizes the importance of appearance and social activities, such as playing rugby, in gaining admission to medical school.
  • Shares experiences working in anesthetics, highlighting a lack of variety in the role but enjoying the opportunity to write books during downtime.

Writing Journey Begins

  • Discusses their first book, "Anesthetics for Medical Students," which was well-received and aimed at helping students with exams they found uninteresting.
  • Describes the practicality of the book being small enough to fit next to a patient's head during surgery.

Transitioning Careers

  • After feeling overwhelmed by work at Barts, the speaker took a break as a ship's doctor on a cargo ship sailing to Australia.
  • Reflects on feeling untrusted by crew members who preferred seeing an actual doctor upon reaching port.

Return to Medicine and Family Life

  • Upon returning home, resumed giving anesthetics while marrying his assistant; later transitioned fully into writing.
  • Expresses that he lost interest in medicine after qualifying but had to relearn it due to his children's inquiries about medical knowledge.

Reception of First Book and Future Aspirations

  • The first doctor's book was received positively but did not achieve immediate success; contrasts past publishing norms with current trends.
  • Mentions challenges faced when adapting his work into film, particularly regarding casting choices and maintaining humor within serious contexts.

A Surgeon’s Legacy: The Tale of Robert Liston

The Story of Robert Liston

  • The speaker introduces a story about Robert Liston, a renowned surgeon known for his speed in performing amputations, specifically removing a leg in just two and a half minutes.
  • This remarkable feat occurred before the advent of anesthesia, highlighting the urgency and pain associated with surgical procedures at that time.
  • On one occasion, while successfully removing a leg quickly, the patient suffered severe consequences affecting his sex life; on another occasion, a patient died from gangrene post-operation.
  • Liston's operations were notorious for their high mortality rate; he accidentally injured an assistant who later died and even caused the death of an observer due to fright during surgery.
  • This led to the claim that it was the only operation in history with a 300% mortality rate, emphasizing both the risks involved in early surgery and Liston's controversial legacy.

Writing Process and Challenges

  • Transitioning to writing, the speaker discusses their prolific output of nearly 40 books over many years but acknowledges experiencing writer's block at times.
  • They describe their unique writing routine involving walks in nearby woods with a tape recorder to capture thoughts and ideas while avoiding distractions.
  • Despite this effective method leading to numerous publications, they faced challenges when adapting to new technology like word processors which sometimes resulted in lost work.

Musical Inspirations

  • The speaker shares an anecdote about staying at a hotel in Paris where they encountered an interesting plaque related to William Tell's Overture, showcasing their creative thought process inspired by surroundings.

Insights on Florence Nightingale

  • Discussing Florence Nightingale's life reveals her complex character; she was not merely an angelic figure but rather an efficient administrator who could have effectively managed modern healthcare systems.
  • Nightingale is portrayed as having been misunderstood historically; while she did care for others deeply, her administrative skills were crucial for practical outcomes under challenging conditions.

Controversies Surrounding Nightingale

  • A press conference incident highlights how media perceptions can distort historical figures' images. The speaker recounts how discussions around Nightingale’s sexuality became sensationalized prior to book releases.
  • They emphasize that despite her caring nature being widely recognized, true efficiency requires more than compassion—it necessitates intelligence and capability within adverse circumstances.

Jack the Ripper and Dr. Crippen: Medical Connections to Infamous Crimes

Jack the Ripper's Identity and Methods

  • The speaker discusses their experience at St Thomas' hospital, mentioning the eerie atmosphere that evokes legends, particularly about Jack the Ripper.
  • Claims suggest Jack the Ripper was a medical professional, possibly a surgeon, who had knowledge of human anatomy, specifically targeting organs like the uterus.
  • The speaker emphasizes that performing such precise operations in dark conditions indicates a high level of skill and familiarity with anatomy.
  • There are theories suggesting his crimes were covered up due to royal connections; however, the speaker dismisses these as unfounded rumors propagated by those opposed to royalty.
  • The speaker reflects on their ongoing fascination with Jack the Ripper while walking through London, indicating a personal connection to the historical narrative.

Dr. Crippen: A Pathetic Figure in Crime

  • Dr. Crippen is described as an interesting yet pathetic character; his case involved administering a drug incorrectly which led to his wife's death.
  • The discussion includes speculation about Crippen's motivations and actions post-murder, highlighting his decision to dismember her body as foolish.
  • The speaker notes that despite being a doctor, Crippen’s actions reflect poor judgment rather than calculated malice; they express curiosity about finding Mrs. Crippen's missing head.

Reflections on Human Nature and Media Appearances

  • The conversation shifts towards exploring darker aspects of human nature through crime stories but suggests it’s more about medical connections than inherent darkness in humanity.

Personal Experiences with Fame

  • Richard Gordon shares an anecdote from 1974 when he was approached for "This Is Your Life," revealing complexities behind television appearances.
  • He describes how producers often create elaborate setups for surprise reveals but hints at skepticism regarding authenticity during such events.
  • Gordon recounts being misled into thinking he was going for a commercial shoot instead of participating in a live show due to production issues related to an election strike.

Reactions to Public Recognition

  • Upon realizing he was part of "This Is Your Life," Gordon expresses discomfort with public recognition and surprises from people from his past appearing unexpectedly.
  • He explains his preference for privacy and selective media appearances, emphasizing quality over quantity in public engagements.

These notes encapsulate key discussions surrounding infamous criminal figures like Jack the Ripper and Dr. Crippen while also reflecting on personal experiences related to fame and media representation.

Discussion on Writing and Medicine

The Challenges of Writing

  • The speaker expresses frustration with the writing process, indicating that while publicizing a book is part of the job, it is easier than actually writing.
  • There’s a humorous acknowledgment that the word processor seems to have more control over the speaker than vice versa.

Changes in Medical Education

  • The speaker notes that gaining admission into medical school has become significantly more competitive compared to their own experience.
  • They reflect on how academic requirements have increased, suggesting that this may not necessarily benefit patients.

Reflections on the National Health Service (NHS)

  • The NHS was once considered an envy of civilized nations; however, its current state is criticized due to health cuts and staff overwork.
  • The speaker argues that while there are claims of cuts, these are often exaggerated and serve as a reminder of healthcare costs.

Efficiency and Spending in Healthcare

  • It’s suggested that despite hospital closures and bed shortages, there is still inefficiency within the system regarding budget management.
  • The speaker believes British medicine remains strong but acknowledges it has lost some prestige compared to American healthcare advancements.

Perspectives on Health Insurance Models

  • A discussion arises about whether a private health insurance model like America's would be beneficial; the speaker supports having options for those who can afford them.
  • They argue for personal responsibility in healthcare spending among those who can afford it, contrasting this with government-funded services for lower-income individuals.

Emotional Well-being and Healthcare Access

  • There's a suggestion that many GP visits stem from emotional issues rather than physical ailments, proposing churches could play a role in addressing these needs.
  • Despite presenting this idea to church ministers, there's skepticism about their willingness to engage beyond traditional roles.

Humor in Literature

  • When asked what makes him laugh, the speaker admits little brings him joy but admires literary genius like P.G. Wodehouse as it alleviates envy among authors.
Video description

Here's the brilliantly Witty Dr Richard Gordon author of the very popular Humorous Doctor Books the first one of which was "Doctor in the House" being interviewed on the London Broadcasting Radio Station known as LBC in March 1986. Richard Gordon is the pen name used by Gordon Ostlere (born Gordon Stanley Ostlere on 15 September 1921), an English surgeon and anaesthetist. As Richard Gordon, Ostlere has written numerous novels, screenplays for film and television and accounts of popular history, mostly dealing with the practice of medicine. He is best known for a long series of comic novels on a medical theme beginning with Doctor in the House, and the subsequent film, television, radio and stage adaptations. His The Alarming History of Medicine was published in 1993, and he followed this with The Alarming History of Sex. Gordon worked as an anaesthetist at St. Bartholomew's Hospital (where he was a medical student) and later as a ship's surgeon and as assistant editor of the British Medical Journal. He has published several technical books under his own name including Anaesthetics for Medical Students (1949), later published as Ostlere and Bryce-Smith's Anaesthetics for Medical Students in 1989; Anaesthetics and the Patient (1949), and Trichlorethylene Anaesthesia (1953)[1]. In 1952, he left medical practice and took up writing full time. The early Doctor novels, set in the fictitious St. Swithin's, a teaching hospital in London, were witty and apparently autobiographical; later books included more sexual innuendo and farce. The novels were very successful in Britain in Penguin paperback during the 1960s and 1970s. Richard Gordon also contributed articles to Punch magazine and has published books on medicine, gardening, fishing and cricket. The film adaptation of Doctor in the House (1954) was released two years after the book's publication. He has an uncredited role as an anaesthetist in the movie. Doctor at Sea came out the following year, with Brigitte Bardot in the cast. Dirk Bogarde starred as Dr. Simon Sparrow in both. The later spin-off TV series were written by well-known British comedy writers. In 1974 he walked off the set of This is Your Life when Eamonn Andrews appeared with the red book. He later changed his mind and the show was transmitted a week later. His wife is also a physician, and they have four children. He lives in London. Doctor in the House is a comic novel by Richard Gordon, published in 1952. Set in the fictitious St. Swithin's Hospital in London, the story concerns the exploits and various pranks of a young medical student, Simon Sparrow. It is the first of a series of 'Doctor' novels written by Gordon, himself a surgeon and anaesthetist. A film adaptation, Doctor in the House, was released in 1954, starring Dirk Bogarde, and several of the sequel books were also filmed. There were a number of TV series very loosely based on this and following books and also a 13 part radio series in 1968 starring Richard Briers as Sparrow.