WorkConnexions

I am grateful to a vigilant NHS BLOG DOCTOR who writes in to correct an error I made three years ago. In the article entitled State Sponsored Shags I discussed the New Labour Viagra policy. Dear old Frank Dobson may be an unreconstituted, unapologetic left-winger who believes in free prescriptions for all but even he baulked at the prospect of the NHS picking up the tab for the nation's Viagra. At the time, I wrote:

The simplest solution would have been to make all patients pay for it. But that was too much for Frank’s old Labour views. He decided to allow some people to have it on prescription. He drew up eligibility criteria for Government approved bonking. Dr Crippen was very much hoping he would introduce a weekly limit of tablets. “Labour approves two bonks a week” would have been fun in the manifesto. Sadly, it was not to be

Instead, Frank drew of a list of conditions that qualified a man for free Viagra. So those who have, for example, diabetes, renal failure or have had prostate surgery are entitled to state sponsored shags. And not just two a week. There is no limit. Dr Crippen prescribes them on demand. He is too cowardly to go into the minefield of how many tablets a week is reasonable.

State sponsored shags

I was in error. I must apologise. In HSC 1999/148: Treatment for impotence (PDF, 281K) the government did set an advisory limit:

"...the Department advises doctors that one treatment a week will be appropriate for most patients..."

So, there you have it. Official government policy. One shag a week. Is there any discretion for doctors? Yes, a little, for the government also says:

If the GP in exercising his clinical judgement considers that more than one treatment a week is appropriate he should prescribe that amount on the NHS

Dr Crippen welcomes advice and guidance as to the best definition of "appropriate". Also, does anyone know if the Tories and Lib-Dems have formulated a policy on this important matter?