Doctor retires following attacks

Dr Mani Raj set up the practice in Whitfield 23 years ago

A Dundee doctor has retired from his practice of 23 years - driven out by verbal and physical abuse.

Dr Mani Raj opened the Whitfield surgery in 1985 and since then has only had about three holidays.

He has been the victim of racist taunts, he was physically attacked and bags were stolen from an ambulance visiting one of his patients.

Dr Raj, 64, said he loved his job but he could no longer put up with the attacks and had to leave.

He said: "You get bits of abuse here and there, sometimes some racist taunts and things like that but you just ignore them. You don't worry about them, it's part of the job."

However, after the physical attacks Dr Raj decided he could not continue.

Unfortunately there comes a point in life when you have to decide for your own safety Dr Mani Raj

"One time, I was going to the post office and somebody comes from the back and kicks me for nothing," he said.

"So I said enough is enough, that's the end of that, there's no point in carrying on somewhere my services are not respected.

"I know there are a lot of good people in this area, I'll be sad to leave them. But unfortunately there comes a point in life when you have to decide for your own safety."

Dr Raj said he would now use his time to do chores around the house he had not been able to do while working as a GP.

However, he admits he will miss helping people.

"As far as the job was concerned, I loved it," he said.

"People being sick and coming for help, absolutely no problem, it's a doddle.

"I consider myself very lucky I'm in a profession and the job that I loved.

"It's never been a chore at all, it's been a pleasure."