Some Lives A G. P.’s East End
Some Lives A G. P.’s East End by David Widgery, published by Simon & Schuster in December 1992, offers a detailed account of the human consequences of urban renewal in London’s East End. With 248 pages, this book reflects on the experiences of those living in the area, particularly in the context of the London Docklands Development Corporation’s initiatives. Dr. Widgery, who has practiced medicine in East London for two decades, presents a narrative that highlights the suffering, deprivation, and neglect faced by ordinary residents, revealing how social class continues to shape life experiences.
Readers will find a blend of medical analysis and personal anecdotes that illustrate the impact of prolonged unemployment, homelessness, and poverty on health and well-being. Dr. Widgery emphasizes the role of a general practitioner as both a caregiver and a witness to the struggles of the community. The book captures the resilience of East Enders, showcasing their solidarity, warmth, and humor amidst adversity. Through his observations and sketches, the author provides insight into the intersection of medicine, sociology, and urban life, making this work relevant to those interested in biographies, medical practices, and social issues.
Official synopsis Publisher
In July 1991, the London Docklands Development Corporation celebrated ten years of “urban renewal” in London’s East End. But what have been the human consequences for the people who live there? Dr David Widgery has lived and worked as a doctor in East London for the last 20 years and now practices in the shadow of Canary Wharf. This is an account of the suffering, deprivation and neglect endured by ordinary East Enders who were passed over in both the LDDC and the 1980s boom. He graphically shows the medical and personal consequences of prolonged unemployment, homelessness and poverty. From labour ward to death bed, in sickness even more than health, life’s possibilities are still delineated by social class. Yet, despite the deprivation, East Enders, old and new, retain the Cockney virtues of solidarity, warmth and humour. Dr Widgery argues that a GP is as much a witness as an executant – a privileged observer of pain endured, private sadness and jubilant recovery. This book blends scientific and medical analysis with sketches from his medical notebooks. The author also wrote “The Left in Britain 1956-68”, “Health in Danger”, “Beating Time”, “The National Health” and “Preserving Disorder”.
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