I know many GPs who feel deep empathy for their patients. The job is so much more than applying science to the sick

‘I marvel how, in a split second, she went from doctor to fellow human. How she stuck with her gut response, backed empathy over “true” doctoring.’ Photograph: fizkes/Getty Images

Passing through her neighbourhood, I decide to surprise a friend. Stepping into her general practice that is constantly in demand and always overbooked, I am surprised when the receptionist says the doctor has just stepped out.

Stepped out where? It’s mid-morning, the waiting room is packed and, as far as I know, she doesn’t do house calls. They can’t (or won’t) say.