Sir, Mr Robert Muscroft (letter, August 23) seems to have concluded what most GPs already realise: that many conditions are self-limiting. Such conditions do not need referral to a consultant and only clog the system. Unfortunately, fear of litigation and patient insistance often lead to such referrals, and were among the reasons for my own retirement from general practice.
Yours faithfully,
J. M. ROMER,
Thornwood,
201 Victoria Road West,
Cleveleys, Lancashire FY5 3QE.
August 23.
From Dr Abdul Jaleel
Sir, Mr Muscroft’s discovery about the therapeutic potential of hospital waiting lists came as no surprise to me.
During my long tenure as a rheumatologist, about one in ten of patients with soft tissue disorders failed to turn up for their appointments as they had recovered from the effects of the underlying injury.
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We used to add these patients to hospital records under the heading “waiting list therapy”.
Yours faithfully,
ABDUL JALEEL,
14 Greencroft Close,
Darlington DL3 8HW.
abduljaleel@btopenworld.com
August 23.