Doctor Muhammad Siddiq, a general practioner of thirty years plus, sent off a letter to the editor of Pulse, a medical journal for GPs from across the pond, saying that gay patients deserve neither help nor pity, but that they do need "the stick of the law to put them on the right path."
"There is punishment and a fine if you throw rubbish or filth in the streets," he went on, and that how gays "are causing the spread of disease with their irresponsible behavior."
When he was first questioned about it, he said he had written it because he was overly stressed about other non-related stuff. Well, that explanation didn't really fly so much with the GMC, General Medical Council over there. So later on he said it was just a hoax, passing the buck off to his apparently unpredictable son, who had done this without his even knowing about it.
Except that he the good doctor himself had signed the thing. Okay, there's a dilemma. Let's see, oh yeah! "I asked my son to prepare a letter for me in relation to an article dated June 28 and say that I agreed that gay patients were not being afforded the care they needed." Here we go. His kid drafted a spoof version of what he had really meant to say, so he signed that one without reading it.
The Pulse editor testified before a board hearing that they had, though, indeed checked in with Siddiq before going to press with the letter. Also, fellow GPs said too that he had already told them about having written the letter.
The good doctor wasn't at his own hearing, where the GMC did revoke his license for the next twelve months. He refused to show because he claimed the board was biased against him. Well no shit, Sherlock. Sometimes a certain predisposition is justified.
Even giving him benefit of the doubt, this was a letter to the editor and what sort of idiot doctor outsources to his son, or to anyone else for that matter, ghostwriting it out for him? And to then not bother to read whatever nonsense and blindly just signing off on it, literally, press-ready for publication. Either way, his career deserves to be flatlined for awhile. Job well done, council members.
Before I render my thoughts on the matter, what was the GMC guideline that the doc broke?
ReplyDeleteI suppose simply that the concept of a doctor and general practitioner would deem based on personal beliefs that some patients just aren't quite worth the trouble is unacceptable. Reason enough for the GMC to revoke, in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI agree the letter was in poor taste. It does strike me as odd though that there was disciplinary action for expressing a thought. However, if there were occasions where he refused to provide treatment to gay patients I could see the legal implications of such a scenerio.
ReplyDeleteFrom the verdict it is evident that he stepped over the GMC guidelines. I just wonder what the exact violation was.
Hmmmmmm... I learn about things I never would have if not for you Douglas. Interesting story. I don't believe the "son" thing...
ReplyDeletetough call, THIS is a "tough call for YOU?" Take out "gay" and insert YOUR name. An easier? My call is easy: (with all due respect) Eat shit and die.
ReplyDeletePS--that "guide line" refers to the good doctor's defense statement as follows: "I have practised as a GP for over 30 years, and I have never discriminated against any patient on any grounds.
ReplyDeleteI have never, and never would, refuse treatment to any patient due to their sexual orientation."
See, even though free speech of my thought about you allows me to tell you the world would be better off without you, I'll still treat you...if you want.
ReplyDelete