Doctors and theologians

doi:10.1136/bmj.320.7242.1143/a

BMJ 2000;320:1143 ( 22 April )

Letters

Doctors and theologians

There is abundance in religion but scarcity in the NHS

Doctors may stop believing in the NHS

There is abundance in religion but scarcity in the NHS

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

EDITOR $---$ Neuberger compares the NHS with a theological institution.¹ However, a minister of religion draws on an abundantand freely and universally available source of love, morality,and strength. This abundance is celebrated every week in churchesup and down the country and contrasts with the scarcity and povertyof earthly existence. God is notrationed.

As a doctor who is a Christian working in a secular organisation I have to deal with problems of earthly scarcity. The Britishpublic may believe that the NHS is the best health service inthe world but this is a sign of ignorance of the wider world ratherthan of British brilliance. It is worth noting that very few countriesfollow our model of providing health care, and few of the richneighbouring countries choose to spend as little on health aswedo.

Today's doctor is no minister. To some extent . . . [Full text of this article]