Guardian opinion: GP steps out of surgery to feed hungry diabetic patient
The doctor accompanied a patient in financial hardship to a supermarket and cafe, an act of empathy that earned a five-star Google review and highlights the altruism often unseen in healthcare
An Australian general practitioner demonstrated significant empathy during a routine appointment by stepping out of her surgery to assist a diabetic patient suffering from acute hunger due to financial hardship. The incident, detailed in an opinion piece by Ranjana Srivastava published in The Guardian on 19 May 2026, describes how the doctor prioritised immediate human need over standard medical protocol.
The patient, who had a 20-year association with the doctor, arrived at the practice with an elevated heart rate that was not attributable to his diabetes or the walk from the bus stop. During the examination, he revealed he had not eaten properly for two weeks after his boarder failed to pay rent, leaving the patient unable to afford groceries. Although the practice nurse had identified the hunger earlier, her message to the doctor arrived late, prompting the doctor to act on her own observation.
The doctor invited the patient to accompany her on a walk, leading them first to a supermarket. She handed him a basket and quietly replaced the items he selected with larger family-size versions. At the checkout, when the patient attempted to pay for her lozenges but lacked sufficient funds, she swiped her card without drawing attention to the shortfall.
They subsequently visited a nearby cafe, where the doctor ordered a toasted sandwich and coffee for the patient. The encounter, which lasted approximately 20 minutes, resulted in the patient leaving a five-star Google review. He praised the doctor for understanding that kindness comes in many forms and thanked her for saving him again.
Srivastava, a fellow general practitioner, used the account to contrast this altruism with the public and media criticism often directed at the medical profession. The article notes that while doctors face pressure regarding bulk-billing and patient volumes, a deep current of empathy remains a defining feature of healthcare, even if such spontaneous acts are rarely acknowledged.