Dear Editor,

As a retired GP, I am sad to realise that I am embarrassed by the apparent inability of our professional bodies to respond to the anti-vax doctors in our midst.

While I have no problem with an informed person deciding to avoid COVID vaccination for themselves, I believe that doctors spreading obvious unscientific claptrap about the vaccination to their patients is nothing short of an abuse of the power differential that exists between patient and doctor.

Our profession seems to find the wherewithal to act promptly and decisively when an inappropriate sexual relationship is discovered between a doctor and a patient. I believe that, from a moral point of view, filling the heads of susceptible patients with unscientific information that would very likely damage the patients’ health should they contract COVID is no less reprehensible.

I urge the profession to stand up and be counted. These doctors need their practising certificates revoked, and to be required to undergo retraining before being let loose on the public again.

The time for dealing effectively with this idiocy is rapidly drawing to a close, and if missed, due to continuing inactivity, it will require some very difficult explanation in the future. I hope that there are people with the strength to take this on, should it be required.

Yours faithfully,

Tony Devenish