Letters
We need to develop scoring systems to determine clinical need
BMJ 1998; 317 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.317.7172.1594a (Published 05 December 1998) Cite this as: BMJ 1998;317:1594
- Nicholas Odom, Consultant cardiothoracic surgeon
- Manchester Heart Centre, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester M13 9WL
EDITOR—I know little about New Zealand and even less about spin doctoring. I wish, however, to dispel some myths about waiting lists that have been quoted as fact in recent letters.1
Myth 1). “Waiting lists are a form of rationing.” They are not a form of rationing; they are the result of our failure to ration when demand exceeds supply. A waiting list is a backlog, nothing more. If it is regarded as a …
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