Frustrated doctor turns to oldest profession

0 Comments | AFP, January, 2006

WELLINGTON (AFP) — A frustrated doctor has closed his medical practice in a small northern New Zealand seaside settlement and plans to reopen his surgery as a brothel next month.

Neil Benson closed his Cooper's Beach practice last year, complaining of a lack of support from health authorities, other doctors and the community.

He has since been granted a brothel licence and plans to offer an upmarket service for tourists and locals in the town about 350 kilometres (220 miles) north of Auckland.

"It's about providing a private service and maintaining confidentiality, which is what my medical practice was about -- so it's not a big leap, really," Benson was quoted as saying by the Northern Advocate newspaper Monday.

Locals were sceptical that clients...