NOT THERE, WHERE NEEDED MOST.

In spite of the cleverness and ingenuity of humankind there is a price to pay.

The “simple” is becoming more complex.

Rules, regulations and guidelines abound.

Advertising of all descriptions is everywhere.

There is the subtleness of subliminal messaging….

Wherever we go there are those clamouring voices invading our peace, privacy and philosophies – all claiming to have the answers to what they think we so desperately need.

And on top of all that, the various systems that seek to control our lives also want us to know that they have our best interests at heart by putting in place protective measures.

Many of these have been around for a long time, such as, “Never sign anything until you’ve read the fine print!”

Check out qualifications and identities, claims and workmanship.

Always protect yourself in case legal proceedings are brought against you.  And so we have third-party insurance, liability insurance, insurance this and insurance that!.

Today, DISCLAIMERS are everywhere.  The more you become aware of them, the more you’ll see them – from big signs to small print on packaging.

Here are a few examples.  Don’t dismiss them as “old hat”.  They are worth analysing carefully.  The vocabulary is important.

·        This is a work of fiction.  The names, places and incidents are either from the author’s imagination or are used in a fictitious manner.  Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or establishments, is purely coincidental.

·        This book is informational only and should not be considered as a substitute for consultation with a duly licensed medical doctor.  Any attempt to diagnose and treat an illness, should come under the direction of a physician.

·        All information, advice and figures in this book are given in good faith and are not intended to replace competent medical advice.

·        The theories presented here are based on the author’s research and experience.  They should not be put into effect without prior consultation with a medical authority.

·        Neither the publisher nor the author is engaged in rendering professional advice or services to the individual reader.  The ideas, procedures and suggestions in this book are not intended as a substitute for consulting your physician.  All matters regarding your health requires medical supervision.  Neither the author nor the publisher shall be liable or responsible for any loss of damage allegedly arising from any information or suggestion in this book.

·        While there is “some evidence of benefit”, it’s not clear whether that outweighs the benefits of existing treatments.  People considering this therapy should consult their GP to make sure they are aware of any risks.

·        We can only advise customers on the basis of the information you give us.  The choice must always be yours.

·        All care, but no responsibility!

Disclaimers!  Keep looking for them – on websites, in newspaper and magazine “adverts”, products, services, community activities, entertainments, playgrounds, sports equipment, insurance policies.

Indemnification is important to individuals, commercial interests and organisations.

And it’s all an integral part of voices and choices.

BUT … there is one place where I have never seen a disclaimer that is prominently displayed, easy to read and unequivocal, and that is….

IN MEDICAL CENTRE WAITING ROOMS AND DOCTORS’ SURGERIES!

Think about that.

This is where the majority of people go when their bodies appear to be in need of advice and treatments.  After all, where else are you supposed to go?!  Traditions (mindsets) are so often never questioned; never doubted.  It is believed to be a “good” place to go.  The “right” place!

Surely facts and figures relating to hospital deaths, unnecessary surgery and other treatments and procedures, as well as unreliable test results, do not inspire confidence.

What the medical system offers is assumed to always be safe, effective and beneficial.

The state’s rights, and the rights of the medical system to control the health care given – or not given – is far greater than most people recognise.

The following should be displayed in every medical centre:

DISCLAIMER

We of the medical profession welcome you to our practice today.

It is our duty to provide you with the most up-to-date diagnoses, treatments, advice and care.

However we cannot guarantee that these services will be provided, or be successful, or that they will be effective with no side effects.  Keeping ourselves abreast of all the new drugs, procedures and “cures” is a task few of us achieve, but we are legally indemnified against malpractice, errors of judgement and medical misadventure.  If we fail, we will try again.

Please remember that any treatments, advice and suggestions from alternative practitioners should always be checked out with us, even if we’ve never heard of them.

Why should the medical system have a monopoly over other healing methods?  Why should they always be regarded as the judge and jury over other suppliers of safe health products?  Why should enlightened medical personnel run the risk of losing their practicing certification, because their professional skills are frowned upon or adjudged unacceptable by their peers?

The power of protocols and “standard” treatments cannot be divorced from the huge vested interests of the pharmaceutical companies – the drug and vaccine manufacturers.  They are all part of the system’s package.

I’m still working on a disclaimer for hospitals.  It needs to include that they are “dirty”.  They have more germs, and worse germs than most public facilities, offering the biggest and best collection of disease-causing organisms, and these germs are frequently the most resistant to antibiotics.  Facts and figures relating to the increasing numbers and severity of infections contracted whilst in hospitals are hard to locate.  You try! The difficulty in finding hard data, is probably because the system doesn’t want people to know.  Yet people are conditioned to think of hospitals as temples of healing, places of comfort, safety and security for the sick.  Are all hospital admissions really necessary? Are you prepared to become the next hidden statistic?

A disclaimer emblazoned across the entrance could well influence the choice exercised by prospective “occupants”.  Every incentive should be given for a speedy escape to a more healthy environment. 

Yes, plenty of food for thought here … but top priority must be the doctors’ waiting rooms.

Better still, don’t even get that close!