Solicitor aged 69 to become doctor - Why shouldn't he?

A 69-YEAR-OLD lawyer has applied to train as a doctor. Anthony Davis would be 74 when he completed the four-year training but says he wants to practise for at least a decade — taking him to the age of 84.

The training would cost the NHS £250,000 but the solicitor from Market Harborough, Leicestershire, insists his career switch would be cost-effective because he is fit enough to work for at least a decade “before I will be more in need of resuscitation than any patient I’m working on”.

“Two per cent of medical students never practise,” he added. “Many women doctors only work part-time because they have children. If I give 10 years full-time that is worth 20 years part-time.”

 

I don't see why not. No doubt he'll be better than most of the morons - who have been paid through medical school by Daddy - that come out as doctors these days.

 

Fair play to him

 

Lot of ageism still rife within the system obviously.

 

Fair play to him if he has the brains to do it why not

 

Surely anyone who managed to gained a degree in Medicine deserved it?

 

Why not indeed...

You think if you have a wealthy dad and you get a medical degree then you are a moron?

 

so, he'll be 74 when he qualifies.
by that time he'll have forgotten most of which he's learned over the last 5 years.

oh !, and the nhs are picking up the tab.
tell the old sod were to go.....

 

It is a bit presumptuous assuming he will live to the age of 84. Get a grip mate you have had your time. The doctor position he would occupy should go to a young doctor who has just graduated from medical school. Call me ageist but he would be stifling the next generation.

 

There's plenty of people aged 74 that are still with it. Some more sharp than those that are years younger than them.

Yes, that's protocol. Why shouldn't he receive NHS funding?

 

There are those who graduate and don't practice - Should they been penalised for doing so? I believe one of them is even an Apprentice candidate.

 

Im guessing she probably picked up the bill though. Or will be paying it off. :smiley-laughing002:

 

I'm really not sure what your agenda is or where you pluck statements like this from but I'm a final year medical student and, as unpalatable as some of the individuals studying medicine are, I can wholeheartedly assure you that the system does not allow 'morons' to slip through the net.

That probably doesn't fit with your worldview, however.

 

Most degrees funded by the government are economically worthless. Even if he only works for a couple of years he would be more value to the country than most grads who finish their courses (based on the cost of their education)

And assuming he is very much with it at the moment, there is no reason to suggest he wont be capable at 74. And if he isnt then he will not pass his exams anyway.

 

To your average Joe but companies nowadays want applicants to have a degree, therefore they are economically useful.

And tbh in an NHS style system a medical degree is economically worthless. Unless you really break it down and say he is saving lives which then leads to healthy workers to go and earn money and pay taxes.

 

I am not arguing education should be based wholly on economic return.

But the objections seem to be based on the assumption that he wont work long enough to repay the education. What I am saying is that based on that argument, many apllicants to education should be rejected before we worry about this guy.

 

Aye I agree with that.

Personally I think its fine. The guy has obviously contributed plenty in taxes over the years, so even if he only worked 1 or 2 years afterwards he would have more than paid the 'debt' off.

 

Fair play to him.

 

No wonder we're all afraid to grow old. What about all the life experience he can bring to bear when he qualifies, things that can't really be taught?

On a less serious note: after decades practicing as a solicitor, I believe the guy should be allowed to retrain as a doctor and repay his debt to society. :icon_mrgreen: