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Dictionary definition of “John Wayne contract”

John Wayne contract

n. an unspecific medical work agreement obligating a doctor to treat any patient and any health problem. Subjects: , , ,
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Citations: 1996 Adrian O'Dowd Pulse (United Kingdom) (Mar. 2) “Core work: where GPs draw line”: The present contract was “incredibly vague.” It was known as the John Wayne contract—meaning a GP had to do what a GP had to do. 2003 Paul Rasdale The Herald (Glasgow, Scotland) (Dec. 9) “Medical monster that will surely eat us all” p. 17: One of the reasons a new GP contract is necessary is that for many years GPs have had no way of limiting their workload and this has led to the concept of a “John Wayne contract” where “a GP’s got to do what a GP’s got to do. Can’t get a hospital appointment for a year? Speak to your GP. There are no dentists to be had? Speak to your GP. Social work can’t help? Speak to your GP. Another press health scare? Speak to your GP.” 2007 Simon Cox, Richard Vadon BBC News (United Kingdom) (Jan. 31) “What happened to the Saturday surgery?”: Previously GPs had what was known as the John Wayne contract, which meant whatever the hour, “a GP’s gotta do what a GP’s gotta do.”
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