Letter: Healing words

The decision of the General Medical Council to give GP Richard Scott an official reprimand because he discussed his Christian faith with a patient could lead to his being struck off (your report, 23 May). Had Dr Scott withheld orthodox medical treatment, the GMC would have had a cause for concern, but all he did was discuss spiritual faith as an element of the healing process.
By The Newsroom
Published 23rd May 2011, 18:24 BST
Updated 23rd May 2011, 22:01 BST

I believe the GMC acted with inappropriate and disproportionate force and applied its own guidance about personal beliefs in medical practice in a selective and unbalanced way.

This says: "Discussing personal beliefs may, when approached sensitively, help doctors to work in partnership with patients to address their particular treatment needs."

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GPs report that patients often seek help in other ways than prescriptions and want to discuss everything from relationship problems to unemployment and work stress.

(Dr) John Cameron

Howard Place

St Andrews