I think that I have told you about my mum and dad, and what an inspiration they are to me (see previous blog: cheese toasties).  They are fiercely independent and hate to be a bother, so it was surprising and slightly alarming last week, when I had a phone call from my mum who was at the local health centre to say that my dad had cut his arm really badly whilst gardening, and he needed to be taken to A&E.  I reassured mum that it was no problem and that I would be along in 10 minutes, so I picked him up and after nipping back home to change his shirt (it really did look like he had been in a nasty fight), we set off for Bury St Edmunds A&E.  

We were seen almost immediately by a nurse, who examined the cut, and felt that it may need to be x-rayed, so could we wait for a doctor to come and look at it.

We were so lucky that day that Dr Claude Newbury was on duty, as he kept us fully entertained while stitching up dad’s cut, and also attending to a cut on his ear (don’t ask!)   At 75 years young, the South African Claude immediately developed a rapport with my dad (10 years his senior) and by the end of the consultation they were singing and laughing together like old friends.  Claude had such a dry sense of humour that he did literally have both of us in stitches (sorry, had to get that one in!)  He reminded me of a cross between Victor Borg and Peter Ustinov, so (those of you who are old enough) will acknowledge the sort of chap he was.   Dad was really disappointed that he wasn’t going to be able to come back to get Claude to take the stitches out, as it turned out that this could be done at the local health centre, as he had enjoyed his humour so much.

Being able to make people laugh is truly a gift and there have been studies carried out that prove that laughter produces endorphins, which in turn counter stress and pain.  I’m convinced that Claude is an enormous asset to Bury hospital for this reason, and I am sure that his funny and easy-going personality had something to do with the fact that he has an important role to perform – he still feels extremely useful, rather than being ‘put out to pasture’ as it were.    Of course, many people of that age would feel no need or desire to continue working, but for those who do, it is important that the option is there.

Coming back to laughter – my husband does a bit of stand-up and he has told me that there is no greater feeling than making people literally cry with laughter – seeing them in almost physical pain is his goal!   And obviously we all love a good laugh, that feeling that brings tears down your face is such an excellent release valve, that maybe people like Claude should actually be prescribed on the NHS!

Thank you Claude, for looking after my dad and making him laugh.