Declarations for new doctors are unnecessary

doi:10.1136/bmj.324.7341.851

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William T Stevenson, consultant radiologist, Burnley. (wtjs@ouvip.com)

6 Flowerfields, Catterall, Preston PR3 1YU

EDITOR—The declaration for new doctors devised by Sritharan et al and shown in their editorial is nonsense.1 It is meaningless waffle and unlikely to benefit anyone, and the statement that a professor of medical ethics was involved engenders little confidence.

The stated ideals of the declaration, like those of Christianity, are impossible to attain. The first hurdle comes in the first line: “I will to the best of my ability serve humanity.” When in imminent danger of falling from a rockface it is indeed possible …