Flexibility on work.

British Journal of General Practice, December 2008 life a lot easier for their relatives (and the doctor!) and started to live again. None of them died except one; who having spent about 18 months out and about had a stroke while walking in town. Her relatives came to me for the death certificate, and I wondered if I would be treated for activating too soon; no, they thanked me for giving her another year of ‘full life’! This first 18 months before the NHS started was hard work but rewarding in that rehabilitation won the day. Not only did I have to change attitudes among the ‘flock’ but in my seniors; I never realised that I had so many resources of tact! This brings me to Hugh Bethell’s article in the October issue, which is mainly related to cardiac disease. I would like to suggest it should have a much wider application. Any disorder which keeps the whole mind and body out of action for a week or more should be treated by simple, easily understood movements of all limbs. There is no magic about it. It does not require medical specialists, health visitors, district nurses, or physiotherapists. We should encourage mental and suitable physical activity to retain the patients interest in recovery of mind. Reading, crosswords, and puzzles are far better than sleeping pills, building up the pace as recovery proceeds. We need to encourage our health visitors, midwives, district nurses, and relatives to think on these lines. The word rehabilitation may be too big a pill to swallow, so I suggest it is not used for patient consumption.