BMJ  2007;334:915 (5 May), doi:10.1136/bmj.39199.466875.3A

Letters

Candour on unfunded treatments

All that is needed is for good men to say nothing

I am sure Firth is a committed, caring, and competent doctor, but on this occasion he has failed his patient, Mr Brown.1 He (and other doctors like him) are damaging all those who suffer avoidable harm through lack of appropriate healthcare resource provision. His actions are supporting the political lies and administrative sleight of hand which deny patients' life enhancing treatments.

He should read the General Medical Council's guidance further; after telling his employer of inadequate resources, he should seek independent advice on how best to put matters right.

A primary care trust that refuses to fund treatments recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence should be reported to the secretary of state for health, with a copy to the press.

Graham Kyle, consultant ophthalmologist

Walton Daycase Centre, Liverpool L9 1AE

graham.kyle{at}virgin.net

Competing interests: Remuneration from pharmaceutical industry for advice and lectures on ethical and legal aspects of off-label treatments for macular degeneration.

References

  1. Firth J. Should you tell patients about beneficial treatments that they cannot have? No. BMJ 2007;334:827. (21 April.)[Free Full Text]

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Related Article

Should you tell patients about beneficial treatments that they cannot have? No
John Firth
BMJ 2007 334: 827. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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