[jeffc]

But still, like you said, something ain't right. What do you think (as a doctor) is going on over there?

Could it truly be a case of government run healthcare trying to keep costs down (the infamous death panels that American liberals like to poo-poo)?
Or could it be the more cynical "We made our decision, so now we must cover our butts so we don't look like the fools we are"?

[wastoute]

I suspect you are correct. This plus the fact the NHS doctors are probably mostly Pakistani trained.