Choked on my Cornflakes. Fell Off My Chair. Finlay Scott Emails Me.

One of the novel issues about the GMC is this. You can be sure that no one responds to emails unless they have to. Following Finlay Scott's [Chief Executive of the GMC] blessing from the Government in the form of a CBE, I wrote to Scott congratulating him with a rather interesting lemon twist to email [see emails below this post]. I have learned one thing from the GMC, that is tactics and the art of lemon twists without actually being downright intemperate. Then, I am a lot lot cooler these days than I was as a junior doctor. Anyhow, this was my take on the the CBE. Scott is no doubt being praised by all and sundry because he likes to have a polite facade while conducting his business in the dark corridors of power. He can be seen in Pulse positively blushing away. No doubt he will have a cream cake and a party or two where no one will mention his role in the Harold Shipman case. All will make polite conversation in the polite company that does nothing constructive apart from think highly of themselves.

Finlay Scott recently appeared in Pulse.

"Finlay Scott, who has been chief executive at the regulatory body since 1994, and is spearheading plans for GP licensing and revalidation, was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire ‘for public service’.

"Mr Scott said: 'I am delighted to have received this honour, which reflects the sustained contribution of my colleagues, and the leadership provided by Sir Graeme Catto and by the Council.'

Apart from his crowings in Pulse, what I didn't expect this morning was to find an email from Finlay Scott in my email box. One of the commenters amusingly phrases Scott's email as a "charm offensive".Of course, it is true, I nearly fell off my chair and choked on my cornflakes but there we have it. I do worry about the GMC being " nice". Probably because I am not used to it at all. So, first the GMC invited me to contribute to their consultation on Tomorrows Doctors which I turned down due to various conflicts then this and now the chief executive is being nice. Interesting.

Of course, being " nice" to me does not abrogate their responsibility to ensure patient safety. The fact remains that the GMC have investigated me and cleared me more times than Harold Shipman or the doctors on Ward 87. Their behaviour with respect to me has been uncouth, illegal and downright mean . They have sought to siddle up to North Staffordshire NHS Trust and take their "side". This is unforgivable.

So, kind words are one thing - but as the old saying goes - actions speak louder than words. The only aspect I am interested in is accountability and system change.

I would like Professor Rod Griffiths CBE struck off. I would like him to be struck off this side of the century before he dies of old age. After that I would like to go bake a chocolate cake in celebration. Justice will be done at some point and until that justice is done, I will continue to seek it.

This is because the doctors on Ward 87 were not subjected to any investigations or accountability due to the GMC's failings. They have all sat and watched, led their petty little lives and are due for retirement in a medical meadow. They placed patients at risk, ended patients lives and now live in harmony whereas the GMC continue to follow me round like a sniffer dog causing untold misery and forcing me to pay a high price.

Following all this, the GMC expects polite niceities from me. Well, it ain't gonna happen - not until there is accountability and justice. The GMC have been spotted visiting our websites regularly and were on Rita Is My Pal recently because we caught them catching a referring link from there to NHS Behind the Headlines.

I don't like sniffer dogs and often I am tempted to take a rolled up newspaper and bash it on the hooter. Of course, these days I take the polite high road not the intemperate low road.

With thanks to Mr Finlay Scott for responding. Just to show even enemies can be civil to each other during ceasefire. Of course, the ceasefire does not last for long as exemplified by the Middle East. Shoe throwing is likely to commence soon.

-----Original Message-----
From: Rita Pal [mailto:dr.ritapal@googlemail.com]
Sent: Monday, January 05, 2009 7:33 PM
To: Finlay Scott (020 7189 5291)
Cc: Graeme Catto (020 7189 5012)
Subject: CBE
Importance: High

Dear Mr Scott

I would simply like to congratulate you on your CBE. Now you have the same amount of credibility as Professor Rod Griffiths :)

Regards

Dr Rita Pal

----- Original Message -----
From: Finlay Scott (020 7189 5291)
To: Rita Pal
Cc: Graeme Catto (020 7189 5012)
Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2009 12:21 PM
Subject: RE: CBE

Dr Pal

Thanks for your congratulations. It was kind of you to take the trouble to write.

Yours

Finlay Scott