Extract from Latimer, J. E., (1997), ”Older people in hospital: the labour of division, affirmation and the stop, InHetherington, K. & Munro, R., (Eds. ), (1997), Ideas of Difference, Oxford: Blackwell Publishers, (p. 280-281).
Major Stevenson If you could — I am not sure if I have any money— but if you could phone my wife?
Student Nurse Right, what is the number?
Major Stevenson What?
Student Nurse What is the phone number?
Major Stevenson Oh, yes. It’s [says phone number]. Tell her they’vemade a decision to keep me in, this hospital, ward 10.
Student Nurse Right — can I ask you a few questions first?
Major Stevenson Yes — certainly.
[Patient’s mouth is terribly dry — he looks quite sallow andunwell]
Student Nurse What’s your address, please? [and so on, for demographicdetails].