Some of you may remember that my brother Richard, the doctor, got in hot water with the General Medical Council about 8 years ago – well, I know exactly when it was, as he was on the radio and all over the press the week that we were on our honeymoon, so I got a lot of texts and emails from people as we we sitting in a restaurant in the British Virgin Islands, saying 'your brother's on the news!' All quite a surprise as he hadn't;t mentioned anything at the wedding..
Reason being for the problems, that Rick is very religious and practises in a (very overtly sign-posted) Christian medical practice in Kent. And takes the approach that if a patient comes in with a chronic issue that cannot be cured by medicine, after the regular consultation, he asks if they would be interested in a conversation about faith. As faith, in its many different forms, has been proven to help many people who have long-term illnesses or conditions. If they say yes, he then talks about Christianity, as that's his thing.
So way back when he had a patient who, I understand, presented with similar long term issues, and who he asked if he would like to hear about the faith perspective. Patient (adult in his mid twenties I believe) said yes. Conversation was had.
Afterwards, patient goes home, mentions this to family members. Furore ensues. GMC gets involved to make sure no malpractice, Richard cleared.
So this week he was up in front of the GMC again. And I hope I get these details right. Apparently something incredibly spurious about Richard having been on a radio programme, possibly Nicky Campbell as he's been on there before, and Richard as usual expressing his fervent views about Christianity.
The Secular Society (yup, the people who are very anti-God/religion) made 1 complaint about something he said. So not an actual patient having an issue, this time a group with differing opinions, expressing theirs. And he gets hauled up in front of the GMC again, even though he was not working and this was nothing to do with seeing anyone in his surgery.
While we have very different views re religion, I have to say I'm rather pleased that he's been cleared. And all over BBC Radio Kent and News South East as a result. Although I suspect it won't be the last time as Rick hates the GMC and how they are hounding doctors out of practising, (nothing to do with religion, just their stance against doctors rather than standing for them), hence the shortage of GPs in the UK.
Apparently now he will ask patients if they would like a conversation about faith and get them to sign a bit of paper to show they have said yes. Seems a bit of a shame, but I can see where he's coming from.
So we will see.
For now, a bit of pre-Xmas peace which is no bad thing x