When I arrived in Britain, I was told that I needed A levels in Biology, Chemistry and Physics to get into Medical School. No one told me that, as a foreign students, there were only a few places available and in some Med Schools there were none. In fact I needed three A levels at A grade.

After my first year studying for my A level, I applied to the allocated number of Universities using the then UCCA form. I had interviews with three and put on a waiting list for all of them. When the A level results were out, I did as well as expected but I was not offered a place in Med School. I was offered alternative courses.

I waited a further two years before Glasgow unconditionally accepted me. I was not exempt from the first year. It meant I lost another year. It also meant I felt I was the happiest person in the world.

Med School was a fantastic experience and a sound training at Glasgow meant I was prepared to face anything. After I officially had MB, ChB after my name, I arrived back in London where my brother, Rock lived with a huge hat and a smoking a long slim panatella. Yes I had the world at my feet and felt top of the world.

I wanted to practice Medicine in my homeland but unfortunately politics in Guyana had taken a turn for the worse. I decided to practice in UK. When I started as a GP in Chelmsford, it was a challenge. My senior partner refused to have any staff other than his wife. She worked when he worked and I had no help. There was a branch surgery in Springfield where I spent most of my time. There was no receptionist so I received patients, did the filing, answered the phone and everything else while seeing patients.

When my senior partner retired and I took over, the practice changed. It was the first purpose built practice in Chelmsford and quickly became a practice that delivered top quality medicine.

Dr. Phil Hariram