I wonder what nurses make of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) draft guidelines that they should not call older patients 'dearie' or 'love'?
The NMC argues that nurses should treat people as individuals, find out what they would like to be called and then do so.
But I can't help but wonder whether any of those responsible for drawing up the guidelines have ever travelled north of Watford or indeed west of Winchester?
It might come as a shock to them to know that there are some parts of the UK where you can't pop out for so much as a pint of milk without someone referring to you as 'love' or 'dearie' and surely such terms of endearment make the world a rosier, lovelier and less gloomy place? Or perhaps that's just me.
Would I find it less acceptable to be referred to in such terms if I were subject to an intimate procedure rather than popping out for a pint of milk? Possibly.
The guidelines do say: 'It is important to recognise that regional variations exist where such terms may be part of everyday speech and it may appear unusual if they are omitted.'
I can't help but wonder what my grandparents would think? I suspect my grandmother would probably call me 'love' or 'dearie' when she answered.
Shadow Conservative health minister Anne Milton says: 'I think most people will see guidance such as this as the world having gone mad.'
I think she has a point.
What next? Should we lobby for the sacking of Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood on the grounds of his over-use of the word 'darling'?
As a patient (although admittedly not yet an older one) I want the best treatment in the most hygienic surroundings. Everything else, including the words used to accompany my care, is secondary and calling me 'love' or 'dearie' might actually be preferable to plain old 'Neil'.
But what do you think?
neil.durham@haymarket.com