I want to talk about this tweet THREAD https://twitter.com/GuyDorrellEsq/status/1330461578353913856

First thing to say is that welfare checks on friends are a very good thing to do. Phonecalls are best, especially in this situation, because you can chat, and assess someone's mood from their voice. But there are some snazzy telecare options, from smart meters that will text you

if someone has not put the kettle on as usual, to movement sensors to detect falls. They are pretty invasive of your privacy (and routines, like when you boil the kettle, can change with appointments etc). Still, thanks to Guy for doing this.

So, what is the answer to the question? In my view, it is check on the person. If you click on the replies, you will see that Guy lives a long way away, and thinks the risk is relatively low (they are probably resting). That means he either has to find a neighbour (hard to do),

or call the emergency services. I would still make that call because he knows his friend is vulnerable after surgery, and he agreed to be a welfare check. Nobody feels comfortable putting others out. Here is what I think. Even if his friend is resting, and is disturbed

the friend will know that the welfare check system works. It is, in my view, not Guy's job to assess the priorities of the local emergency services. That is their job, every day. As are welfare checks. They will triage every call; they know what else is in the queue and the risks

There is something else to say about the tweet - asking the internet for their view. If you are thinking of doing something, particularly something that inconveniences others, it is common to ask permission. One of the reasons women may live longer than men is that

they will have conversations about "I have this mole/ odd feeling etc" with friends and their friends tell them to go to the doctor. It gives them permission, and it also gives them permission in the appointment "I wouldn't have bothered you but my friend...". Men are less

likely to have this conversation, except maybe with a spouse or partner (married men live longer than single men, perhaps because of this). The other thing about asking a question like this is that getting an answer clarifies how you really feel. A bit like when you

cannot decide between the green or the blue shirt, and you ask someone their opinion. As soon as they say what they think you know, deep inside you, whether that was the answer you wanted or not. Just hearing another point of view crystallises it for you. None of us

know what the surgery was, how long ago, other risks, none of us know Guy's friend or his situation. But answering will help Guy work out how he feels. Last thing, I have raised the alarm a number of times. I have never regretted it - there were real reasons for concern each time

Each time it was a false alarm. I have never regretted doing it, apart from maybe once, when the police officer and I could not raise an elderly friend who had felt unwell the night before, and he broke her window to gain access. Having taken off his cap to punch through it, so

he did not get splinters of glass in his fist, his silhouette coming through the french door was just of a tall man. "Who's there?" asked my friend, a physically frail woman in her 80s. "Don't worry," said the officer, "we're friends." "What kind of friends?" was the snappy reply

She thought she had flu. She sent us away (once we had patched up her window), but that night she ended up in hospital with a heart attack. Broken windows are not great, but they can be fixed. But welfare checks should be that.