Voice of doom in balanced debate

I WOULD like to register my disgust at the headline “Let cancer patients die ‘to save cash’ ” (News, 26 June). Whilst the article itself gives a sensible, balanced view on what is a difficult subject, the sensationalist headline gives the totally opposite impression.

The use of quotation marks for part of the headline implies that the statement is a direct quotation, whereas even the ‘to save cash’ quote is not taken from the interview with [BMA Scotland chairman] Dr Brian Keighley. It also implies that this is the view of the BMA, whereas Dr Keighley is in fact calling for a frank debate, at society level, on the subject.

The doctor-patient relationship is heavily dependent on trust. Irresponsible media coverage such as this serves only to damage this relationship.

Dr Lawrie Spence, Inverness