Letter: Doctors' morality

Doctors' morality

Sir: Phil Hammond throws up his hands in horror at the fact that medical students and doctors are susceptible to lustful thoughts and immoral actions ("Sore throat? Kindly remove your blouse and bra", 9 December). Let us not imagine that he has discovered something new. Down the years patients have often found themselves in a vulnerable position, and, sadly, members of the medical profession have sometimes taken advantage.

To its shame, the British Medical Association earlier this year gave its blessing to a revised version of the Hippocratic Oath, from which the promise to abstain from the seduction of patients has been removed. But human nature has not changed. This stricture is as necessary as ever it was.

HUGH J THOMSON

Consultant Surgeon

Birmingham