I had always thought my junior doctor days at the hospital were among the most painstaking hours any being had to endure: seven long nights in a row, clerking in, managing medical patients — it was gruelling, never-ending work.

It was always that much harder when the registrar on duty would go for a decent sleep, then meet the consultant for breakfast, and start the ward round as my 12-hour shift was supposed to be ending.

Twelve-hour shifts could drag on (unpaid) well beyond, as my registrar had a good old chinwag with the consultant while we junior minions acted as scribe, phlebotomist, general dogsbody and, of course, punching bag!

Thankfully, I had not yet started my own family. Caring for one makes that solitary lifestyle far easier.