Phil Hammond (comedian)

Dr Phil Hammond is a medical doctor who has become noted as a comedian and commentator on health issues in the United Kingdom. Although he still works part time as a GP he is best known for his humorous commentary on the National Health Service.

He first came into the public spotlight writing a column for The Independent newspaper, where he wrote with a strong pro-patient-rights line. He has since starred in his own show 59 Minutes to save the NHS at the Edinburgh Fringe and was one of two doctor-cum-comics who captained teams on the Five medical quiz Tibs and Fibs, hosted by Tony Slattery.

As well as appearing on Channel 4's longest running programme, Countdown, Hammond has starred in the BBC Two TV series Trust Me, I'm a Doctor and in the BBC Radio 4 series Struck Off and Die and 28 Minutes to Save the NHS. He has appeared on the BBC TV news quiz Have I Got News For You, as well as the somewhat similar and longer-running (but less well known) The News Quiz on BBC Radio 4 and The Now Show on the same station. He also writes a column in Private Eye usually named Doing the Rounds, under the pseudonym M.D. (most of the Private Eye's writers are anonymous and it is typical for writers to adopt appropriate pseudonyms).

Hammond currently lives in Chew Magna, where he chairs the school governors and coaches the under 12 Rugby team. He moved there from Northfield, Birmingham. He now presents the Saturday mid-morning show on BBC Radio Bristol between 10am and 1pm.

Politics
Whilst a junior doctor Hammond contested the 1992 general election under the title 'Struck Off and Die Doctor's Alliance'. He ran in the Bristol West constituency against William Waldegrave, the then Secretary of State for Health, capturing 87 votes.

Writing
Hammond co-authored Trust Me I'm a Doctor (Metro books) with Michael Mosley, the executive producer of the BBC2 series of the same name. There are two editions (1999 and 2002), both out of print. Hammond is the sole author of 'Medicine Balls - Consultations with the World's Greatest TV Doctor' published by Black and White in October 2007.

Non-medical Broadcasting
Hammond co-presented BBC1's Heaven and Earth Show with Juliet Morris in 2000. He adopted an openly atheist stance and left after describing one of the ingredients in Greek Easter Bread as 'crack cocaine'. He presented two series for BBC Radio 4 of Pillories of the State in 1999/2000 and presents the Music Group, also on Radio 4 (2007).

Miscellaneous
Hammond is possibly the only comic to have appeared at a Public inquiry [1] In 1999, he was reported to the General Medical Council by William Hague's Press Secretary. He writes for the Mendip Times, celebrating life on the Mendips and in surrounding areas. He coaches Chew Valley RFC Under 13s.

Reviews
‘One of the most entertainingly subversive people on the planet.’ Nancy Banks-Smith, The Guardian

‘Great to have a pint with but you wouldn’t want him as your doctor.’ The Times

‘Dr Hammond appears to prefer the glamour of the TV studio to the prospect of examining haemorrhoids in some chilly provincial surgery.’ Victor Lewis-Smith, Evening Standard