Davinia Bennett

consultant anaesthetist, breast cancer patient, mother, wife. Believes in fairness and honesty. All views my own

[Davinia Bennett @bennett_davinia]

@StupidNeilAgain She has made a career of having cancer - the rest of us had cancer and get on with our careers!

[Davinia Bennett @bennett_davinia]

@wesstreeting @RoyalFreeNHS Shame @SwanseabayNHS can’t get an urgent scan reported in over 2 weeks ! Can you help Wes?

[Davinia Bennett @bennett_davinia]

@SwanseabayNHS please can someone contact me regarding outstanding histology and radiology results !

[Davinia Bennett @bennett_davinia]

@SwanseabayNHS please can you explain why biopsy results requested urgently are still not available after 3 weeks - you have had a Coronors PFD already!!
No CT report from 24/10/25 either!
Mam is deteriorating fast

[Davinia Bennett @bennett_davinia]

@SwanseabayNHS please can you explain why biopsy results requested urgently are still not available after 3 weeks - you have had a Coronors PFD already!!
No CT report from 24/10/25 either!
Mam is deteriorating fast

[Davinia Bennett @bennett_davinia]

@Oldtimers365 Edna

[Cian McCarthy @arealmofwonder]

Rest in peace, Patricia Routledge 🙏🏻

In memory of her, I encourage everyone to read these words of hers from February last year.

Whether young or old, you're bound to get something out of it.

*****

"I’ll be turning 95 this coming Monday. In my younger years, I was often filled with worry — worry that I wasn’t quite good enough, that no one would cast me again, that I wouldn’t live up to my mother’s hopes. But these days begin in peace, and end in gratitude.

My life didn’t quite take shape until my forties. I had worked steadily — on provincial stages, in radio plays, in West End productions — but I often felt adrift, as though I was searching for a home within myself that I hadn’t quite found.

At 50, I accepted a television role that many would later associate me with — Hyacinth Bucket, of Keeping Up Appearances. I thought it would be a small part in a little series. I never imagined that it would take me into people’s living rooms and hearts around the world. And truthfully, that role taught me to accept my own quirks. It healed something in me.

At 60, I began learning Italian — not for work, but so I could sing opera in its native language. I also learned how to live alone without feeling lonely. I read poetry aloud each evening, not to perfect my diction, but to quiet my soul.

At 70, I returned to the Shakespearean stage — something I once believed I had aged out of. But this time, I had nothing to prove. I stood on those boards with stillness, and audiences felt that. I was no longer performing. I was simply being.

At 80, I took up watercolour painting. I painted flowers from my garden, old hats from my youth, and faces I remembered from the London Underground. Each painting was a quiet memory made visible.

Now, at 95, I write letters by hand. I’m learning to bake rye bread. I still breathe deeply every morning. I still adore laughter — though I no longer try to make anyone laugh. I love the quiet more than ever.

I’m writing this to tell you something simple:

Growing older is not the closing act. It can be the most exquisite chapter — if you let yourself bloom again.

Let these years ahead be your TREASURE YEARS.

You don’t need to be famous. You don’t need to be flawless.

You only need to show up — fully — for the life that is still yours.

With love and gentleness,

Patricia Routledge

*****

Once more, rest in peace. 🤍

[Michele Paduano @MichelePaduano]

Apparently they have always been bailed out by specialist services - key individuals have left and they haven't been "recuperating" income.

[Davinia Bennett @bennett_davinia]

@Jenny_1884 NHS staff are paying tax on pension growth before they have received the pension ie whilst they are still working.

[Davinia Bennett @bennett_davinia]

@Katie_Lam_MP Needs to be struck off!

[Davinia Bennett @bennett_davinia]

@LizKershawDJ @MichelePaduano Some of us can’t be with our loved ones cause we are looking after yours - remember that, be kind . You have No Idea what staff are dealing with - use your voice for good rather than abuse

[Davinia Bennett @bennett_davinia]

@nectar my nectar points have been stolen from my account! I’m 97 in a queue and my call has been dropped - please help

[Dr Chris Carson @drchriscarson]

Doctors DON’T have a final salary pension
Doctors DON’T get their exams paid for
Doctors DON’T get overtime
Doctors DON’T get their equipment paid for

Doctors DO pay for their own training
Doctors DO pay for their own stationary
Doctors DO earn less now than 2008 in real terms

[Davinia Bennett @bennett_davinia]

@sharrond62 It was rude of him, I agree

[Davinia Bennett @bennett_davinia]

@ECB_cricket do you run courses for teens to learn umpiring and scoring please?

[Davinia Bennett @bennett_davinia]

@charliersmith1 You look great and happy! Ignore the negative messages x

[Davinia Bennett @bennett_davinia]

@drlouisenewson What do you think of HRT in those with hormone positive breast cancers of AI’s?

[Vince @vinc3h4ll]

@goldstone_tony I’m surprised anyone is doing extra contractual work until their pension AA figures are accurately available, ‘cos they could do extra work and then be hit by a huge pensions tax bill, so @wesstreeting if you want work done get the f**king incompetent @nhs_pensions sorted ASAP

[Davinia Bennett @bennett_davinia]

@bluesaint72 @goldstone_tony @BMA_Pensions @nhs_pensions @michaelkbrodie @TPRgovuk It’s a nightmare - I don’t understand it at all!

[Davinia Bennett @bennett_davinia]

@Saramac7 @mrchrisjohn I find “thank you for waiting”, useful, no comeback - it’s their choice to wait or go.

Every dr/ hospital appt I’ve been to in the last 6 weeks has been late, but of value, so I waited
Chin up - take time off and have a rest xx