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  • A Seaside Practice

  • Tales of a Scottish Country Doctor
  • By: Dr Tom Smith
  • Narrated by: Dr Tom Smith
  • Length: 6 hrs and 55 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (86 ratings)
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A Seaside Practice cover art

A Seaside Practice

By: Dr Tom Smith
Narrated by: Dr Tom Smith
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Summary

When he arrives to take up his first posting as a GP in Collintrae, a small fishing village on the West coast of Scotland, young Tom Smith isn't quite sure what to expect. Certainly, nothing in his medical training could have prepared him for what he finds - a baker with nine lives, Mad Maggie in the Muck, and a gaggle of giggling nuns are just a few of the extraordinary cases that he comes up against.

Heartwarming and gloriously eccentric, Dr Tom's stories capture the beauty of the Lowlands, the joys and sorrows of its inhabitants, and the richly rewarding experiences of life as a Scottish country doctor.

©2007 Tom Smith (P)2007 Soundings

Critic reviews

"An affectionate and hugely entertaining memoir of the incident-packed five years that Smith spent looking after the mainly farming families in his patch. If only modern medicine had as much heart." ( Guardian)

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What listeners say about A Seaside Practice

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Riveting

This was thoroughly enjoyable. Every chapter introduced us to new characters and interesting stories. A human James Herriot. The author was an excellent narrator of his work. Injecting just the right amount of humour and pathos. Looking forward to the next one.

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1 person found this helpful

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down memory lane

Lovely gentle listen especially like me you worked in the NHS around this time thanks

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

A Book For Country Folk

Would you listen to A Seaside Practice again? Why?

I would definitely listen to this book again. It brought back memories of my childhood, in that I could associate with the kind of characters Tom wrote about and could even imagine how my childhood GPs could have easily found themselves in similar circumstances.

Have you listened to any of Tom Smith’s other performances? How does this one compare?

This is the first Tom Smith book I have listened to but it will not be the last, I always think there is something special about listening to a reading by the author.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A gentle read

It’s not fast paced or sexy but a good comfortable listen beautifully read by the author I enjoyed this book very much Just about to download the next volume

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent and eyeopening

You would not believe it with the evidence? Hippocratic Oath and more you would know

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

A tale of GPs before the hurry of today

What I enjoyed was the author reading the book, it has the best intonation etc. A good story filling in the parts about what we patients look like to GPs!

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Nostalgic and funny

This reminded me of the James Herriot books. A wonderful account of the life of a newly qualified GP and his family in a remote Scottish practice. Well written and narrated by the author who has a soft Scottish accent which adds to the authenticity of the stories. I really enjoyed listening to this book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Memories of Times Gone By

Dr Smith's narrative of his beginnings as a junior doctor to becoming the Family Doctor take us back in time when that role was so important for his patients whether the doctor was in the country or suburbia. Back in a time when life was less complicated, less demanding and more intertwined with people.
He restores my memories to when as a child, the lookout patrol announced loudly for the whole neighbourhood to know "the doctor's here"; the lookout in place because he had been called to attend to a sick child or children. The arrival of the Family Doctor had a sense of security that all would be well. Even if he should call by for a social visit. The doctor knew everything - along with the Chemist!
Dr Smith's wonderful Scottish lilt and humour takes us on his journey with his supportive wife and children. Once settled back in his native land, he reveals many good stories of family doctor and patient and locals.
Thank goodness for wonderful story tellers like Dr Smith who can revive such wonderful memories!

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5 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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a good listen

loved this book. it took me back to wgen I started nursing in 1966 in the United Birmingham Hospitals. its a story of a truely family doctor, the same as I grew up with and sadly miss now. when the Goverment of the day want Super Gp practices of 50,000 patients.
thanks to the doc for all his hard work over the years. and for writing his story.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great for those with an interest in medicine.

Really enjoyed listening to the tales of he GP and looking forward to listening to the sequel. I have an interest in medical history and found each tale about the different patients both amusing and fascinating. The writer has narrated the book and his wonderful Scottish accent helps to set the scene, though his voice was sometime monotonous.

Overall, an enjoyable book.

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