It’s hoped a nice cup of tea and a chat will save GPs from burnout

GPs throughout England and Wales are exhausted and heading for burnout, but it’s hoped that a nice cup of tea and a chat with an occupational health doctor will make it all better.

‘General practice is a demanding, stressful profession, but we’re not going to do anything about the demands or the stress,’ admits an important man in charge, ‘because that would be far too expensive and would involve a tedious activity called thinking. So instead of that we’re going to offer GPs a cup of tea and a biscuit on the off chance that it’ll help.’

The plan, which has yet to be finalised, is to offer an over-worked, over-stressed work force the opportunity to dunk a biscuit of their choice into a cup of tea and watch as their problems magically melt away. A bit like… er… well, a bit like a biscuit in a cup of tea.

‘Tea and biccies is all well and good,’ bemoans one burnt-out GP, ‘but if you ask me it’s too little too late. I really don’t think you can fill the empty, endless void that I call my life with a hot beverage and a chat with an occupational health doctor who tries to stay awake by writing everything I say down on a piece of paper. Having said that, mine’s milk no sugar, ta.’