There’s a new website where you can leave a review of your doctor called iwantgreatcare.org. It has already been formally warned by libel lawyers acting on behalf of thirty-seven GPs, of the potential for defamatory comments to be posted by the public. There are some nice comments there too:
Many years ago he literally saved my life and has continued to be the best family doctor I have ever met.
and
Caring understanding, Intelligent and sensitive, Top Professional.
I’m not sure how useful such patient anecdotes are, take this one for example:
He was held in very high regard by the overwhelming majority of his patients. He was also respected by fellow professionals. His patients appear to have regarded him as the best doctor in Hyde. His register was full and there always seems to have been a waiting list. Patients liked him for a variety of reasons. Many would say that he ‘always had time’ for them. His surgeries overran but no one minded because they understood his wish to take whatever time was necessary for each patient. He never hurried them out. He always had time for a few words of a personal nature. Elderly patients and their families were particularly grateful for his willingness to visit at home.
That, you may have guessed, is Harold Shipman.
One of the most interesting comments from the owner of the new rating site is this:
The vast majority of comments have been positive -interestingly, the small number of spoof and malicious comments we have received have been traced back to doctors.
Very strange.