“The NHS is on its knees, someone needs to stand up”—why doctors are running for parliament
BMJ 2017; 357 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.j2601 (Published 31 May 2017) Cite this as: BMJ 2017;357:j2601
- Abi Rimmer
- BMJ Careers
- arimmer{at}bmj.com
James Davies, former GP, standing for re-election as Conservative MP for Vale of Clwyd
“Life as an MP is surprisingly similar to that of a GP—at least some of the time. Constituent casework often involves similar issues to those tackled by a GP, and surgeries can be remarkably similar too. During the last parliament there were several doctors serving as MPs. The experience I have had of my medical colleagues is that they are effective politicians, able to contribute valuable expertise to parliamentary processes and to empathise with their constituents. Parliament is increasingly composed of those who have worked in the ‘real world’ as opposed to career politicians, and this is good for democracy.”
John Dean, consultant cardiologist, National Health Action Party candidate for Central Devon
“When the NHS is on its knees someone needs to stand up—and that is what I am doing. I hope that I will attract enough support to …
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