Bernie is a retired medical doctor who has worked in a variety of medical disciplines. She trained as a General Practitioner and worked in Prison Medicine, becoming Clinical Director for Prison Medicine in Worcestershire where she was responsible for the prison medical services at 3 large prisons.
She left that full time role in the spring of 2013, and did a series of roles before returning to General Practice on a part time basis. She attempted to retire in 2020 but was pulled back becasue of the pandemic, working with the telephone advice service to assist those who contracted Covid. She has now fully retired as GP and works as a volunteer with Freedom from Torture to assist people who have suffered torture in other countries and are seeking asylum in the UK.
Bernie runs, skis to a high standard (terrifying her husband) and cycles.
The Slow Cycling Blog 
I have read your blog with keen anticipation. I live in Edinburgh, with a daughter and young family in Victoria BC. I am over there quite often and decided to ride the SC later this year, in Sept/Oct. I have got all the ACA maps and other info and now need to get a bit fitter for this big one. I am well travelled as a cycletourist having, for example, spent a month in the Balkan badlands last year (Albania, Kosovo & Bosnia) and two months in Norway & Denmark in 2012. Your own careers mirror my own to an extent. I was a partner in a large firm of solicitors for many years, specialising in commercial litigation. After I retired I was appointed a member of the Visiting Committee (Scottish word for an IMB) for HMP Edinburgh and have served there for 15 years. I also hold an appointment from the Home Office Immigration Minister as a member (chair for 4 years) of the IMB for the Immigration Short Term Holding Rooms in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Larne in NI.
On the SC I’ll be riding my Bike Friday – a new model featuring a Gates belt drive, 11-sp Alfine hub gears and disc brakes. I’ll let you know how I get on.
Bruce,
Sounds fantastic. Good luck to you. Let us know if we can assist.
David
Wow Bernie, just seen this blog by chance via Roy Lilley’s NHS blog….what a star you are for doing this! So impressed! Good luck to you and David for the next leg…. I will follow with interest! Love from Jenny Kay (Lucy’s friend!)
Jenny – Good to hear from you. We were with Lucy when you commented. Hope you are enjoying the blog