"Pill-Dispenser And Form-Filler"

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 14928, 16 March 1949, Page 5

"Pill-Dispenser And Form-Filler"

English Village Doctor's "Prescriptions"

Certificate Remedy For Popular "Ills"

A vi'ilage practitioner at Ixworth, Suffolk, Dr Brian Coffey, recently wrote an "open letter" to his 3743 patients and the Minister for Health (Mr Bevan). Dr Coffey said, "I no longer practise medicine. I am just a pill dispenser and a filler-in cf certificates. I am fed up." Dr Ccffey's letter appeared in the front page of the "Daily Mail." It went on:—■

"Are you bald? Let me give you a certificate for a wig. Are your rations proving too much for your waistline? Let me introduce you to the latest State corsets with a certificate.

"Are ycu fed up with draughts in the house where you are living with your mother-in-law? Let me condemn it—the house, I mean—and give you a certificate. "Are you short of petrol? So am I. Is you 44-hour week too much of a strain? Do let me give ycu a certificate.

"Do you find difficulty in reading? Let me give you glasses. "Can I give you an exemption from sitting on a jury? "Do you want to vote by post next election? Let me help you. "Do you want rubber tyres, utility furniture, extra coal, extra paraffin? "Do you know you must fill in Form 24A i'f you .want to have a baby?

"Are you ill? For God's sake don't, call me in. I am much too busy signing certificates." Addressing the Minister for Health, Dr Coffey's letter said; "Congratulations, Mr Bevan! I am proud to belong to this health service, which gives so little to so many for so much.

"Thank you so much for all your insults, but, above all, do let me thank you sincerely for the magnificent remuneration with which you reward myself and mv colleagues. I am overwhelmed."