My dear Jason

I do not speak on anyone’s behalf, only my own. If you have read some of
my previous writings as you claim you will surely know what ‘profession
[al] stand point’ I am coming from. Perhaps an evening perusing the
various discussion forums and journals – including your own [Podiatry
Now], will give some enlightenment? If your are still in some doubt, try
progressive reform for starters.

My understanding is that there are considerably more than 8,000 members of
the profession in the UK. The figure is probably nearer the 14,000 mark,
but I concede I do not have an accurate figure. The 8,000 members you
refer to are members of SCP. Surely this is an oversight on your part or
are your views so parochial as not to include the thousands of
practitioners who are not members of that august body?

You also wrote; ‘It is easy to be a maverick on the outside with opinions,
but much harder to give up time to lead a professional body in its
development.’

I do not doubt that being a member of council requires commitment and
dedication. We could have a long discussion about the way council
operates; how it runs professional direction on a part-time, unpaid basis.
We have these debates before and they are most entertaining. My own views
on conflict of interest within the SCP council are also well known, but I
also respect that others may hold different opinions.

But that is not the point of my enquiries. The professional direction of
the SCP through its Strategic Plan is. This brings me to your final point.
Whether I like it or not, the actions and direction of the Society affect
me directly on the occasions when I work as a chiropodist.  Its influence
in the podiatry arena extends far beyond its own membership base. The
advice it renders to its members regarding NHS policies, AfC for example,
has an impact on my earnings too. The representation and lobbying of
politicians it undertakes, certainly affects the provision of service to
my patients. And just as I am not a member of the Labour Party, and did
not vote for them at the last general election, doesn’t stop me
questioning them on their policies either.

So forgive me if I continue to ask pertinent questions of the Society
regarding professional matters.

But of course, all of this is merely a distraction and as you played no
part in constructing the ‘strategic plan’ you cannot assist me anymore.
Myself and many other colleagues from within and out-with have been asking
these questions for the past four years. We still await a response. Surely
it cannot be a difficult or onerous task for council members to answer
simple enquiries regarding professional direction? What else is council
for?

With that in mind, I look forward to their response.

Sincerely yours

MR

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