I would like to make a belated confession for a bare-faced lie I told nearly 30 years ago during my interview for a place at medical school. Contrary to what I said at the time, the motive behind my decision to pursue a career in medicine was not an altruistic desire to help others but the antics of Michael Upton, Duncan Waring and the other medical students at St Swithin’s Hospital. And I very much doubt I was the only fan of the seminal Seventies series Doctor in The House who managed to sneak in to Westminster Medical School that year.

Medical students have a well earned reputation for studying hard and playing harder, and high jinks are part and parcel of student life. As are living in squalid conditions, gate crashing parties, three-legged pub crawls and not returning library books when you should.

But studying for a medical degree does not grant immunity to the repercussions of your actions - indeed it has the opposite effect. Would-be doctors have to abide by the same rules as everyone else in society, but come to terms with the fact that they are likely to have the book thrown at them if they do cross the line. Drink driving, possession of illegal drugs, or a prosecution for shoplifting may have little impact on the career of a history student, but could signal the end for a trainee doctor.

But the powers-that-be need to apply a little common sense. Taken out of context - as invariably happens when misdemeanours are recorded by a po-faced administrator in a student’s records - such actions often appear more significant than they are. Just because someone was once cautioned for running naked through a public park doesn’t mean they are a pervert and unsuitable for medical practice.

At least I hope not, because the student in question is now one of the country’s leading surgeons.

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