I REFER to the article, 'GPs quizzed on shoddy cosmetic treatments' (Feb 18). Regular patients suffer too.

I visited a clinic where the GP practises aesthetic medicine as well. In between treating sick patients like myself, he was flitting in and out of his consultation room to attend to a woman who was undergoing aesthetic treatment. Not only did his preoccupation with the beauty treatment prolong waiting time, it might have interfered with his concentration in treating sick patients.

When he was treating me, I couldn't help wondering whether he was paying attention to my illness or thinking about that woman's facial treatment. GPs who dabble in aesthetic medicine should set aside time apart from their regular clinic hours to perform aesthetic procedures. In this way, patients who are sick will not be disadvantaged.

Maria Loh Mun Foong (Ms)

This story was first published in The Straits Times on Feb 20, 2008.