Watters March 1998

I am just writing to fill you in on events of the past week with regard to Miss Simone Burton who had a sudden episode of right sided lumbar sacral back pain when putting books in a book shelf at work such that she collapsed to the floor and took to her bed for five days. However, she decided not to take analgesia during this time and surprisingly enough found it impossible to walk around the house. Since this time she has received Voltarol suppositories and Cocodamol as required to good effect and is now mobile around the house but still unable to get to work.

Their initial concern yet again was with regard to her previous history and surgery of which I have reassured them in view of the negative findings. However, as this is a new finding and she is currently under your care, I would be grateful for your assessment as planned with regard to the left scar pain in due course. In the mean time I wonder if it would be appropriate that she sees a local physiotherapist in view of this right sided back pain of musculoskeletal origin. However, as she has previously been under a consultant and has had previous surgery, without your OK I feel the physios would be unwilling to take her via a GP referral and would welcome your advice as to the appropriateness of this course of action.

Letter from my then GP to Dr Harrison of Frimley Park Hospital