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Rapid Responses: Rapid Responses published:
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Risks of overvetting doctors
- Michael H Martin-Smith (8 November 2003)
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Re: Risks of overvetting doctors
- Jenny L Robertson (14 November 2003)
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Michael H Martin-Smith, Principal in General Practice Sydenham House, Boulevard,HULL HU3 2TA
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Dear Editor, It seems to me that the addition of yet another layer of bureacracy for the control of doctors would not be without hazard. We learn that this year there are 3425 vacancies in General Practice - 900 more than last year. Furthermore, some 45% of GPs are within 5 years of retirement. The public, we understand, is finding access to Primary Care quite difficult in some places. Some people are even beginning to notice this phenomenon, and wonder. It is difficult to see how Dr Pickering's suggestions could lead to a "rapid increase in standards", since access to a GP would,like general access to Low Earth Orbit, become a very difficult task indeed. The latter, at least, is showing potential for change - but that is another story! If there was a guaranteed withering away of the pernicious "Blame and Compensation Culture" ,with a corresponding culling of ambulance chasing/advertising lawyers, the idea might might have some merit, and even give us some wry amusement - but I fear that,like the proposed new tier of regional bureaucracy ,the costs and hazards could only be increased, as upon a one-way ratchet. What shall it profit the public to possess a service of "perfect" doctors, who by reason of their numbers become effectively inaccessible? Many of us are finding it difficult to rationalise staying in post up to the age of 60 as it is. This proposal is less than encouraging... For my part, I never expected, in my youth, to see advancing years as a blessing, with Retirement as a kind of latterday Promised Land - but so it has become for thousands of hard-working professionals in Medicine and Education. Nice one,Cyril? What an unique achievement of modern times! Competing interests: I am an active General Practitioner |
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Jenny L Robertson, Journalist SW15 5DP
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Surely this response misses the point? The argument was for less beaurocracy and greater accountability. Improving standards of healthcare would be in everyone's interests. Perhaps doctors and nurses don't want to work in the NHS for the same reasons that patients increasingly don't want to be treated by the NHS? It is not delivering consistently reasonable standards of healthcare. This is disastrous for patients and demoralising for staff. The NHS needs a radical overhaul which would have to include a proper system of independent accountability. This would improve patient care and help crack down on fraud within the NHS. (A bigger problem than 'ambulance chasing'.) No Government has yet dared tackle the fundamental issues. Until they do both doctors and patients will continue to flee 'the sinking ship.' Competing interests: None declared |
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