Home Stories

Sorry to Keep You Waiting

  • Series
Preview of a four panel comic in black and white with a blue accent tone.
Blinkered codes. © Ian Williams for Wellcome Collection.

With the NHS under pressure, it is easy to see doctors (if you can actually get to see one…) as the detached and privileged functionaries of a rather unwieldy and overloaded system. It is easy to forget that these individuals have their own histories of illness, trauma or emotional pain, as well as their own idiosyncrasies and blind spots, and that they are working under trying conditions, within a framework designed by politicians, using computer software that can perpetuate stigma and social inequality. You don’t have to pity them, just understand why they are what they are. 

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Blinkered codes

Be careful what you tell your doctor, their computer system may be prejudiced.

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Dr No

Saying ‘no’ is sometimes part of the job. Long hours are always part of the job.

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Scanxiety

You’ll never understand the impact of a cancer diagnosis. Until you get one.

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Presenteeism

Who is the more indispensable?

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Changing advice

“The foole doth thinke he is wise, but the wise man knowes himselfe to be a foole.”

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FINE!

There’s life on both sides of the desk.

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Biggest fibs in healthcare

Exactly what you want to hear?

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No worries

Some advice is easier to give, than to live.

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Empathy

Double standards – part of being human.

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Clinical detachment

The reality of emotional blunting and slow burn trauma.

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Humans of healthcare

Just everyday heroes.

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Thank you for listening

The most important part of the job.

About the artist

Black and white head-shot of comic artist Ian Williams

Ian Williams

Dr Ian Williams is a comics artist, writer and doctor who lives in Brighton. His work includes two graphic novels, ‘The Bad Doctor‘ and ‘The Lady Doctor‘, and ‘The Sick Doctor’ will be published in 2022. He named the area of study called graphic medicine, building the eponymous website in 2007, which he currently co-edits. He is founder of the not-for-profit Graphic Medicine International Collective and co-author of the Eisner-nominated ‘Graphic Medicine Manifesto‘.