Working life: Dr Pearse Phelan, medical director

6am

Although we run a 24-hour service, the base is still reasonably quiet and this is the perfect time to read emails and other correspondence, concentrate on them and respond.

7.30am

I meet with the general manager who takes me through events of the previous 24 hours. We also discuss any upcoming flags in my diary together with ongoing business matters.

9am

This is when I start to see patients in the surgery (usually issues pertaining to men’s health). At the same time, and throughout the day and into the evening, I also provide remote consultations as they arise via live referrals from our paramedics.

This is the heart of our TeleClinic service which uses advanced mobile diagnostic technology to take a patient’s readings and relay them in real time to me and to other doctors who can make a diagnosis without actually having to drive from home to home around the city.

11.30am

At this time I am usually in a series of informal meetings with our financial controller and other key managers, taking care of routine administrative tasks and paperwork.

1pm

Time for a very quick lunch.

1.30pm

I visit our other clinic, The Fitzwilliam Private Clinic, just down the canal at 3 Fitzwilliam Place. This provides specialised men’s health and snoring treatments to private clients.

Throughout the afternoon I will see clients regarding issues ranging from testosterone deficiency to erectile dysfunction and snoring that is causing real physical problems.

For patients with snoring difficulties, I either refer them on to a specialist dentist or schedule them for simple, quick, painless laser treatment.

4pm

A cup of tea at last. I’ll spend the rest of the afternoon in informal meetings with managers, staff and other doctors working at The Fitzwilliam Private Clinic.

6pm

Time to go home. But it’s not the end of my working day – I am still providing remote diagnoses for patients via paramedics using our TeleClinic service.

9pm

Finally, I get to close the laptop and put another busy day to bed. I find 20 minutes or so at the piano clears my mind, soothes my soul and puts a smile back on my face.

* Dr Pearse Phelan is medical director, Mediserve healthcare company.