Who am I?
I’m Bob Leckridge.
I am a medical doctor working in Scotland. As you might imagine from that small piece of information I’m interested in health. I was a General Practitioner from 1982 through to the end of 1995. Since 1996 I have been working at Glasgow Homeopathic Hospital. The holistic approach to patients there really suits me. One of the guiding principles of homeopathy is that every one of us is unique. The particular medicine a patient needs is based on their whole experience. It’s not selected just for the disease they have. One of the things I love about my work is the stories patients tell me. I have always loved stories and every single person I see tells me a new and unique story – a story I have to try and make sense of in order to help them make sense of their own lives.
Being interested in a holistic approach has led me to think a lot about health – what is it? How do we know when its there? How do we get it and keep it? Those kinds of questions. They aren’t easy questions to answer but they are really, really fascinating. My studies in this area have led me into philosophy, literature, history and science and I am especially intruiged by the connections between the scientific concept of the “Complex Adaptive System” and the philosophical ideas of Gilles Deleuze and Hans-Georg Gadamer.
I love reading. I am insatiably curious! And I love movies – the great narratives of our time. One of the other appeals of movies for me is their visuals. I love images and I really enjoy photography. That photo at the top of the blog is one I took standing on the platform of Stirling railway station early one morning. Movies appeal in a third way too – the music. I have a pretty big collection of vinyl albums at home and CDs too, but, you know, I can honestly say the ipod changed my life! I have my music collection with me everywhere and it is the soundtrack of my life.
The biggest changes in my life have been when Amy was born in 1978, Ross in 1981, then when Amy became a mum herself in 1998 (then again in 1999, and 2001!), and Ross became a dad last year. So now, I’m not just a dad, but a grandad. And I love that.
I’ve been married to Hilary since 1976 and she makes beautiful Artists Books.
I was asked by a fellow blogger why I blog and he liked my answer – here it is!
Why do I blog? Well, here’s the story.
During the year that I moved from being a GP to starting my present job at Glasgow Homeopathic Hospital I wrote a textbook on homeopathy entitled “Homeopathy in Primary Care” It was published by Churchill Livingstone and from that project on that publisher would ask me to do various things for them – book proposal reviews, brainstorming about medical textbooks, and so on. Those activities resulted in me building good relationships with some of their editors. I’ll come back to pick up that trail in a moment.
I travel to work by train. It takes an hour and so for two hours a day I have a bit of personal space and time to do what I want. What I usually want is to read and write (although on the way home often I sleep a bit!). I’ve always been a reflective doctor. I’m always thinking about how I work and about the patients I see. I read very widely because I am insatiably curious. A few years back a number my lines of thought came together (that’s the way my mind work – I’m always looking for links and parallels) and I had this idea for a different way to think about health – it was about holism vs reductionism really – anyway, to cut a long story short, I wrote the draft of a textbook called “Understanding Medicine” where I laid out these ideas. I let a few colleagues read it and the feedback was “interesting ideas, boring book!” – so I knew it needed more work. I contacted one of the editors at the publishers who I know well and talked it through with her with the idea she might be able to give me good advice about it and she said, much to my surprise, “Why do you want to write a textbook?” I said because I wanted medicine to be practiced more humanely, I thought the emerging sciences of complexity gave strong scientific foundations for a more holistic practice, and so on…..She said “Well don’t write a textbook” That shocked me. Here was a high flying editor in a major academic publisher telling me textbooks were not the way to go! She said students don’t want to buy textbooks any more they get their information more dynamically through other modalities – especially the web – blogs, internet resources, podcasts and so on – why not go and explore that and see what’s happening. So I did and that led to the blog – the basic idea of the blog is the core message that people matter more than things and that we need to focus on complex wholes instead of simplified parts.
All my life I have wanted to be a doctor. I believe I’m here to make a difference and I do make a difference every day on a one-to-one basis with the patients I see, but as time has passed I’ve also made a difference on a one-to-few basis – teaching small groups of doctors and medical students. The potential of writing is to make a difference on a one-to-many basis – so that’s how I see my life – helping people and making a difference – one-to-one, one-to-few and one-to-many. Hey I could go on but that’s probably plenty, huh?
I don’t actually write blogs for much time each day – I can access the internet at work so some days I’ll have a half hour at lunch time to do something but mostly I write in evenings and weekends – don’t know how much time really – maybe on average an hour an day? Not sure, sometimes a lot more, never really much less.
I enjoy it.
I enjoy life.
And I enjoy people.
Heroes Not Zombies 
Dear Bob
Very impressed with your blop? My first impression is of wonder.
Speak to you soon
Great work Bob and a good way to share ideas!
Warm Colored Smiles!!!
Maurizio
Hi Bob,
i really like your blog. And I think Hilary’s books are exquisite – thanks for pointing to them.
As an occupational therapist I agree that health is considerably more complex than simply an absence of illness. Have you come across the newer WHO classification – the ICF (International Classification of Function) which provides a more holistic view of health as a dynamic between body functions and structures, activities, opportunities and ability, taking into account the environment too.
I teach a first year OT course and we draw on the post-structuralists too – blow the students’ minds, challenge assumptions. Great fun.
Thank you snowqueen (great name by the way!)
No, I haven’t heard of the ICF. I’ll explore it – sounds very intriguing.
Thank you for your kind comments about Hilary’s books too. I’m glad you like them so much.
Wow! Your OT course sounds GREAT! Can I come?
Seriously though, could you tell me a little more about it? If you’d rather not do that through the blog, you can email me at
bobleckridge [at] gmail [dot] com (I write it that way here to avoid the spammers automatic software!) but if you’re happy to say more through the blog that’s fine too
hello Bob,
I am a spanish mum married to a scotsman. We have just moved back to Edinburgh. I had been seeing an homeopath medical doctor in Spain and it was working really well for my kids. He gave me your name as someone who may be able to help me find someone else that I could see (preferably in Edinburgh) that is been trained in the same ‘type of homeopathy’. Reading your blog it reasures me that your aproach to health is one I believe in too. Could you help me?
e-mail: muntsag191@yahoo.co.uk
Thank you, I will keep reading your blog and checking on the beatiful art work. Congratulations!
thank you Rosa
I’ll reply to your query by email.
I’m glad you enjoy my blog and I really appreciate your kind comments.
Greetings Bob–
How lovely to discover a kindred spirit in the blog and in the “real” world! Yes to complex adaptive systems; yes to becoming a parent and YES to becoming a grandparent!! My of my favorite homeopath memories is when a took my daughter, Sara, to a homeopath at around age 2…a decisive factor in the choice of remedies was her “night time locquaciousness.” I’m delighting in your blog and found Hillary’s work amazing…
Blessings,
Sandy
Gosh that was quick Sandy!
That’s the great thing about the web isn’t it? The amazing connections you can make – instantly! I’m always browsing blogs and you can tell really in seconds if its a blog you’re going to keep coming back to explore again and again can’t you? That’s what I felt when I stumbled on yours.
“Night time loquaciousness”!! – now THERE’S a symptom I’m glad my kids never had!!! 🙂
Thank you for your kind comments and I’ll let Hilary read this herself
Bob,
Just wanted to let you know I have you in my blogroll at creativityandaction.com. This site just moved to its own home from blog.christopherrichards.com.
I’ll get back to you on Gut Feeling. I am enjoying it.
Hi Bob. I came across your wonderful blog when reading Christopher Richards’s Creativity & Action blog. I’ve been “lurking” for some time without commenting, mainly because I feel like your blog deserves only the best comments, because it is so well-written and thought-out. So I understand that the following request may seem a little cheeky, but I would love your feedback on a recent post on my own blog which you can read at http://reallyhardsums.wordpress.com/2007/10/10/the-value-of-longevity/
I will continue to read and enjoy your blog and hope to return the favour by commenting here!
Hi Phil
OK, I’ve popped across and read a couple of your posts and commented on them. I am so glad you said hello and introduced me to your excellent blog. Thank you so much for you kind comments about mine
i really enjoyed your update, bob.
i think you should update this regularly, because you’re always learning, changing, growing.
you’re such an inspiration.
i’m so happy i so accidentally stumbled upon such great intentions once upon a day.
truly.
thank you.
I thought you might be moved by this short film tribute reading of Michelle Gardner-Quinn’s essay. She said what is in my heart, what I can rarely find words to express.
Hi Bob
Long time no see. Good to read your site and think your letter to the Scottish Sunday Times is great. Maybe you should copy a version of it to the Times and Guardian of today who are reporting the cut-back in NHS homeopathy south of the border…..
Stephen
Interesting & Meaningful Blog !! As such still exploring and reading… will continue picking threads..
Hi Stephen, thank you. The Faculty’s sent off a letters to the Times and the Guardian already. Challenging times, huh?
Thank you Entropy – hope you enjoy picking the threads – I’m enjoying exploring your blog too!
Refreshing, a physician who does not think he knows all. We need more physicians not afraid to be creative, not to force but to promote the healing of a patient’s body, a partnership during the darkest hours of existence. I will return to read more.
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Hello Bob
I have found you on this site via Net Doctor. I am desperate to find a solution to a stomach disorder that I have had for about 12 weeks now. I am hoping that you may be able to help me. I have written a statement desciribing my condition and I am wondering if you would be able to have a look and tell me what you think please?
My email address is xxxxxxxx
Regards
Steve
Hi Steve
your request is one that comes my way from time to time. My feeling about such a request is that you need to do what’s both safe and good for you and, at this stage, that’s unlikely to be a personal consultation over the net with a doctor who doesn’t know you. So what I’d recommend is that you get along to see your GP (if you’re in the UK) or either a Primary Care Physician or Gastroenterologist (if you’re not) and present your story fully to them. You need a diagnosis and that’ll involve you telling your symptoms, being physically examined and then having any relevant tests conducted. Only once you know exactly what’s going on can you then consider treatment options
Bob
Dr. Bob,
Hope you are doing well.
I just posted on my book tour- I hope to see Scotland someday.
Let me know of small book stores or venues that you think might fit the bill. I am going to start saving them in that section of my blog.
I love your weblog, and hope to get that way someday. (See today’s post)
Dr. B
Contemporaries working in the health ‘industry’ (!) tell me that the holistic approach is being discouraged and homeopathy et al swept under the carpet in favour of a more scientific approach. Shocking. It’s time for a paradigm shift in medicine and the approach to caring. As you point out, empathy has to be top of the list. What an interesting blog…
http://www.okathleen.wordpress.com
Thank you for your kind words concerning Mesostic Remedy.
Alec
Bob, stumbled upon your blog and surprised by how much we have in common (don’t know why). Complex adaptive systems, photography ,,,, on and on,, We should meet up some time – are you not due a trip to Lewis?
Frank
Hi Frank
how nice to hear from you – well you know I’ve NEVER been to Outer Hebrides – but would love to make the trip and come and see you.
Let’s make it happen this year!
Bob
hello bob, nice blog – i found it while searching for Stirling, as that’s where i am!
this year my wife and i are getting the use of a beautiful walled garden next to an old georgian country house, through landshare.
a great idea, the owners did not have the time to work the garden themselves, we have time but no land, perfect!
we are just starting out, but i am planning to blog our progress so check it out if you are interested (once the snow stops and we can get digging!)
my wife is interested in holistic health ideas and medicinal herbs – we plan to grow a selection of medicinal herbs in the garden, if you have any thoughts, i’d love to hear them!
take care
thanks for the nice comment…..maybe we should arrange for you and your wife to come through to Glasgow Homeopathic Hospital some time and see our garden – it has been designed as a healing garden so you might get some ideas there?
Bob
Just heard you on the radio.
I visited the Glasgow Homeopathic hospital recently on behalf of CAMLIS.
I was very impressed with the building, it very well designed and a joy to be in. I thought that it was a great shame that the maintenance of decking had been allowed to go to pot by budget cuts.
Anyhow just to say that you did a fantastic job on the Radio just now. Excellent debate. Thankyou.
Hi Bob,
I heard you on the radio yesterday, and as the guy in the previous comment said, it was a good debate, although the ‘other side’ did come up with a lot of rubbish as to why homeopathy doesn’t work. After many attempts, I have now found a doctor who is willing to refer me to the Glasgow Homeopathic Hosp, I hope the waiting list isn’t too long!
Keep up the good work, and thanks for the wonderful photos on your blog!
GBC.
Hi Bob
Thank you for your inspiring talk last night at Revive MS Therapy Centre, Glasgow. You shared your ideas and connected with the hearts of many there – stimulating and full of hope and direction. Refreshing to engage in thinking that is not discrete, absolute and pre-formed as complete. Movement (mental and physical) is so needed when stuck to realise full potential.
Elaine
Dear Dr Leckridge,
I am very grateful to see your blog. First let me say, being a writer. I really like the above post as it reads well and you are very positive. On another quick note, and I hope you dont mind me asking here. Do you have expertise in treating candidiasis – as I am thinking of getting a referral to the Glasgow Homeopathic Hospital possibly to see you. Many thanks, Alexa Williamson
ps and again thank you for being so positive. Like you, I also LOVE Scotland, have been all over it and am very grateful for your time/the holistic approach you give people and the like. My GP can write me a referrall they are just not good at looking at the whole person and treating these things. I have a feeling you are!
Bob, I thought you might enjoy my blog post today. It has a link to a TV clip of me and some friends playing the mandolin.
Dr. B
Wonderful facts! I found myself unable to scrolling down/reading more/viewing your beautiful photos. I really like the way you think. http://www.gustatori.com
Bob, I am a fellow traveler, with Gadamer and people who write and think that way. As we now move into a new paradigm of not only what health is, but what it means to be human, we need thinkers and bridges like you to remind us that there is meaning in becoming, not the nihilism of Dawkins and Neitztche (who btw I think his thoughts can actually be an energising and positive force!) who find no meaning, and so ultimately no value, in human beings and medicine as a people thing.
I sat with my boy on George Square today on one of the benches that someone hadn’t commandeered for themselves- by that I mean they had not sat in the middle of the bench and placed their ‘things’ either side of them. It was on a bench where there was a guy in his sixties (i eventually got talking to him). Cut a long story short, we ended up talking for nearly an hour about his health, his sisters’s health and mine! After umpteen years of specialists and suffering his sister visited a homeopath and within months her health and wellBEING transformed. We did also talk about eggs and lard but that’s for another day.
Dear sir
I like the way you write, respond to replies.
Keep up the good work.