Moneo writes

Since last writing this column I have undergone unforeseen surgery. As a result, I have had to be away from my practice at very short notice. It is not until a situation such as this occurs that one stops to really consider the value of one's fellow workers.

I have always felt that the staff members I employ are of high calibre. I now realise that what I considered was good quality was only the start of the matter. As soon as they became aware of my predicament they started to inform patients and began to arrange for my locums to replace me.