Rosie Marcel, the actress who currently appears as Dr Jac Naylor in the BBC series Holby City, appeared in an article in Fabulous Magazine (which accompanies the News of the World) on Sunday 23 March 2008. This article, under the heading ‘On the couch with Dr Hilary’, dealt with Rosie’s diagnosis of Behçet’s diseas. However, it was Dr Hilary’s diagnosis and advice that caused the angry reaction by stating (quote) “so Rosie should try to put a brave face on it and carry on living a normal life”. Read the article here.
Rosie, in a comment to the Chair Jan Mather, is none to pleased with the article herself, feeling that much of what she had said had been edited out, and she is also upset, like many members, regarding the 'normal life' quote.
This somewhat glib and patronising comment has insulted many members who have contacted us, but it reflects their experience of comments made by doctors who have no experience of Behçet’s and who have not bothered to research the disease.
The comments clearly ignore the complications that surround, for example, neuro-Behçets, and also the symptoms that affect vision and digestion, as well as the mobility problems that many suffer with inflammation of the joints.
The trustees decided to write to Dr Hilary to express their concerns and have received a reply from him.
See the letter in full.
Dr Hilary's reply see the full text
Please email your reactions to chris@behcetsdisease.org.uk
