Agreement: I Agree Body: Dear Editor Ian describes the problem very well, and as GPs we have lived with this for longer than hospital Emergency Doctors. Of course more resources would help and are needed, across the whole system. However, in real life we are seeing more demand with less resource. It feels like being hit with a stick. So what can we do? In order to be able to be compassionate we need to look after ourselves and each other. The young GPs know this. Just before I left as a mainstream GP, one of my patient’s ended their life. Within 30 seconds there was a knock on my door and one of the juniors was offering hugs and suggesting moving work around. We need to be better at bringing compassionate to ourselves by admitting our limits. Sometimes we will need to hold the discomfort and deal with it later, but not dealing with it will make us hard and cold. I learned that I am tired after 8-6.30 consulting so I don’t do that now. This helps me stay interested and curious about each person. I want to be kind to patients, so first I have to be kind to me, and make sure my colleagues are doing ok. Otherwise the job is just mechanics. For me there is deep satisfaction in human connection. I guess AI can do clever stuff better than me. I don’t think it can replace bringing a blanket or organising a sandwich. No competing Interests: Yes The following competing Interests: Electronic Publication Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026 - 08:42 AI use: No, I have not used AI Highwire Comment Subject: Make compassion visible in emergency medicine again Workflow State: Released Full Title: Re: Make compassion visible in emergency medicine again Highwire Comment Response to: Make compassion visible in emergency medicine again Check this box if you would like your letter to appear anonymously:: Last Name: Evans First name and middle initial: Ruth L Email: Ruth.evans@nhs.net Address: Newcastle upon tyne Occupation: GP Affiliation: CNTW BMJ: Additional Article Info: Rapid response
Re: Make compassion visible in emergency medicine again
