We may have been watching her for years, eight actually, on Embarrassing Bodies but aside from a sense of pride seeing this cool Irish GP do her thing, we don't know a huge amount about her. Luckily for TV viewers she decided to take part in the new RTÉ One TV series, You Should Really See a Doctor which is on Wednesday nights at 8.30pm. If you've missed it so far, catch-up on the RTÉ Player here.
How did You Should Really See a Doctor come about and how did you get involved?
The concept of bringing the doctor to the people isn't a new one. The differentiating factor in this show was the desire to highlight those who either dodged doctors or did a bit of DIY doctoring. By pitching up at festivals and summer shows we had a target audience so we could grab their attention.
What reaction have you had to the show?
Truly fantastic and above and beyond what I thought it would be. The patients who have contributed to the show have been superb; it's a brave thing to air your ailments in such a small country. Thankfully people were willing to participate so it's a big testament to them that we produced such an interesting and informative piece of telly. Without the public there would be no show.
What were your season highlights either while filming or looking at the finished product?
I think Galway was one of our most interesting shows in the medical sense. But the highlight for sure has to have been being asked to dance at the tea dance in Lisdoonvarna!
You’ve presented and worked as a GP in the UK, what’s it like working on an Irish TV show?
I love it. It’s great to do a show in Ireland, the people are fantastic, there's no playing up to the cameras - what you see is what you get. It’s also been brilliant filming around the country over the summer. I got to see lots of beautiful places and ate my way through four different festivals! So I can't complain!
Are Irish patients in general different to your UK ones?
Not in the sense of their worries, no. Yes in the sense that in Ireland people genuinely put off going to the doctor for reasons of cost compared to the UK where, whilst it's free, it's hard to gain access to a GP. I also think in Ireland most people have a better doctor/patient relationship with their GP in comparison to the UK. We tend to ‘know’ our doctors over here and have had the same one for years, in the UK that's rarely the case.
Would an Embarrassing Bodies show work here or are we/patients, well too embarrassed to go on a show like that in Ireland?
I would have said no until I did this series. But actually I think it might well work as I was surprised about what people were willing to not only speak about, but also show on camera. It would have to air a little later I think, otherwise there would be complaints about people not being able to eat their dinner!
You and Dr Phil Kieran got on very well and it’s a great show – will there be a second series?
Hopefully yes. We hit it off really well. I’m so used to Dr Christian and Dr Dawn from Embarrassing Bodies we have been together for 8 years, stepping out with Phil almost felt like I was having an affair!
What type of TV shows do you like to watch when you’ve time?
My life is manic so more often than not I’m a play-back viewer. I love Homeland, Sky Atlantic’s The Affair and House of Cards. I have to confess to being partial to a bit of mindless reality telly if I'm suffering from brain drain and I also love a bit if Corrie.
Its Christmas time and food pressie parcels are crossing the world – what Irish foods do you miss the most when you’re in the UK?
The list is endless - I love a bit of Barry's tea, Clonakilty Black pudding and Ballymaloe relish. I’m a Cork girl at heart! And of course we can't forget Mr Tayto, Cheese and Onion, all to myself...no sharing!
What are your Christmas plans?
I'm beyond tired this year so I'm hoping for lots of sleep and less social activity than usual! We spend Christmas at our home in the UK and then head to Ireland for New Year. West Cork is our bolt-hole; I've been going there since I was 5.
You’ve seen it all at this stage between your own work as a GP, Embarrassing Bodies and now You Should Really See a Doctor – are you ever surprised anymore?!
Ha ha...there's always one out there who can up the ante. I've seen some random things over the years, that's for sure. I’m not blessed with a poker face so if you watch my facial expressions my reactions to some of the more outlandish cases are fairly obvious. Ultimately whatever the ailment, even if it can't be cured, it's very probable it can be made a bit better. So don't be shy!
