Now its widely known that the medical boys protect themselves. We all know of horror stories from patients whose lives have been affected by unethical doctors, or even careless ones. Not to say there aren't good doctors, I know several who are excellent humanitarians as well as brilliant medicos.
But by and large, we know the 'boys' close ranks and protect each other, even testifying for each other in event any complaint gets taken to higher levels. Let's face it, if a doctor is accused of some wrong doing, especially on the medical front, who can go against the testimony of another medical expert, i.e. another doctor? I suppose the ones who are actually indicted by the medical board are the ones against whom the evidence is overwhelming. How often do you see any medico testifying against a colleague?
The idea of the Government placing lay persons or legally trained persons on the board is to be commended. It simply fits in with the rest of the world standard, and is not even a Vision 2020 target. This has already been in practice for years.
The doctors' regulatory body will be stripped of a key power under Government plans.
The General Medical Council (GMC) will lose the right to adjudicate in fitness to practice cases when complaints are made against doctors.
The GMC will still investigate concerns about doctors but the final decision on what happens to a doctor is likely to pass to an independent tribunal.
The GMC will also be made more accountable to Parliament and doctors will undergo a process of re-certification where they will be tested on their standards in their own specialist fields.
(from Metro.co.uk referring to GMC, UK)
To hear Dr Neil Singh in his Parliament protests, with some of the most asinine and decrepit reasons for not bringing the board up to speed then, is leading me to 3 conclusions:
- He's an ass.
- He, along with his friends, have skeletons to hide.
- They cannot work to higher standards.
Worse yet, how can anyone have faith that he is speaking with accuracy when Glen Ramadharsingh is at his side? My memory is terrible but even I remember the mess Glen made at UWI.
As for doctors leaving T & T, the reason has nothing to do with the Minister controlling their career. It has everything to do with calling them to accountability but more importantly, it has to do with the larger salaries and benefits found elsewhere.
Yesterday's Metro newspaper in the UK stated that the average salary (take home, after taxes) for a GP was £103K per annum. Some take home £250K. In a country where it is possible to live on £2000 a month, this is an indicator how well doctors can achieve and how secure their future can be.
A total of 46 per cent of GP's earned more than £100,000 in 2004/05.
Almost one in ten took home at least £150,000.... one in 200 earned more than £250,000 a year, according to statistics by the Information Centre for Health and Social Care.
Not to mention the benefits of working with first world technology, first class training etc.
That is what attract doctors abroad Singh, not Ministers cracking whips. If you'd do your jobs, in a conscientious and ethical manner, there'd be no reason to crack the whip.
