Post misses mark on reprimand of local doctor

Last week two Cape Breton doctors were reprimanded by the Nova Scotia College of Physicians and Surgeons. The Cape Breton Post chose to write a half page article on the one still practicing in North Sydney. In doing so, it cast a shadow over a stellar career and a fine doctor.

Dr. John Kirkpatrick is well known as one of the most dedicated general practitioners in Cape Breton. He has a large and busy practice, routinely works 60-70 hour weeks, and yet still finds time for ‘house calls’ to his bedridden patients. He has been recognized many times for his competent and attentive patient care. It is unfortunate that he ‘missed’ one call on a rare condition, but it should not detract from his 35 years of consistent and skilled service to his community.

For a newspaper, which prides itself on taking a “balanced approach,” I did not find the article either fair or balanced. If the Cape Breton Post wants to print a single article on a 35-year career, it should do a little more homework. It would have to look no further than its own paper to observe the number of times Dr. John is thanked by families for going ‘above and beyond’ in the care of their loved ones, and the quality and number of lives extended through his personal and experienced care.

In an environment where 10,000 Cape Bretoners cannot find a doctor, and the community is trying to recruit more, it does not help to embarrass one of the best that we have. If the Post wants to benefit and provide some positive reinforcement for health care on the island, maybe they should start a weekly column lauding and profiling the doctors that we do have, many of whom are working years past normal retirement because they will not abandon their patients.

For the record, John Kirkpatrick is not my GP, but I would like to thank my own for being one of those who is working into his 70s in order to serve his patients. Michael Johnson North Sydney