Compassion is a double-edged sword when it comes to the NHS

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As doctors seek kindness for those in the medical profession from struggling patients, they should try reciprocating those sentiments (PA Wire)

Dr Sami Musa makes a well-reasoned case, in his recent letter, for more compassion and sympathy for medics under tremendous strain within the NHS and calls for an end to the “blame culture” which he sees as traumatising all concerned. He says “intelligent kindness” would help the healing process and while this notion might suit the needs of the medical profession I fear the patients and families of those who’ve suffered from too many cases of delays, neglect, and incompetence will not be able to apply such compassion and benign pragmatic acquiescence.

Striking doctors are seen by many as a threat. While we all want the same thing, the public sees these strikes as contributing nothing to the solution and merely adding further discomfort and worsening the end result.

Compassion is a double-edged sword and while Dr Musa seeks intelligent kindness for the medical profession from patients struggling with poor service and increasingly long waiting lists, he and his colleagues might try reciprocating those sentiments as they prepare to withdraw their labour again while patients suffer and have no option but to wait for them to return to work.