The NHS needs its medical mavericks

PROFESSOR Richard Lacey, the world-renowned microbiologist who first warned the world about the human risks of BSE — ‘mad cow disease’ — has died.

As I read his obituary this week, I marvelled at his bravery. He was ridiculed, vilified and lost his job after refusing to be silenced about the possibility that BSE could be transmitted to humans. He was, however, ultimately vindicated.

The history of medicine is full of noble men and women like him who spoke out regardless of the consequences.

Barry Marshall, an Australian doctor, discovered the link between a bacterial infection and stomach ulcers. He, too, was laughed at and resorted to drastic measures to prove his point. He drank a vile concoction containing the bacteria (Helicobacter pylori) and developed an ulcer to prove he was right.

Now, prompt antibiotic treatment has made ulcers a rarity.

Sohier Elneil, a consultant gynaecologist and last year’s winner of the Daily Mail Health Hero award, fought a long battle for women who had suffered the pain and trauma of vaginal mesh surgery.

Miss Elneil was shunned and attacked by some colleagues for making a stand but ultimately was proved right.

My worry is that younger doctors have been so indoctrinated by a ‘tick-box’ culture in the NHS that there are fewer mavericks or independent thinkers — and that is a loss to us all.