Main causes of stress
Work is the main stress in my life, I guess. Trying to do too much, having too many patients to see in a small amount of time. Our problem is that in a lot of cases, we have the specialists, we have the time, but we don't have the operating theatres, the nurses or the facilities to go with them.
You also worry about your patients. In our line of work, if things go wrong, they can go very wrong - because if your heart isn't working, you are not working.
The climate of expectation is such that nobody expects anything to go wrong when they go into hospital. We all have a right to live forever, pain-free, but sadly life isn't like that. The climate of litigation is another worry. It's got to the stage where it may be counter-productive as, faced with a choice, people may do nothing because it's the safer option.
Coping with stress
Of course, doctors are lousy patients. We are better at giving advice than taking it. I don't take my work home - that's a conscious decision. I read a lot to relax; I like history and biography. I would read anything as long as it's not medical. I play golf too. I'd like to tell you that I walk a lot, but I don't.
Yes, this is a stressful profession, but it's essential to be goodhumoured and have a sense of fun.
At the coalface
A lot of the criticism of consultants and the health system amuses me. It reminds me of the Chinese army that tried to do without its officers - you can't do it. It's all very well talking about sharing decision-making with teams, but when the litigation starts, the other people disappear like snow, leaving you responsible for the decision.
In conversation with Alison Healy