We must put a halt to this 24/7 mentality which is led by want, not by need (‘GPs plan trials of seven-day opening to combat A&E crisis’). I don’t need to see my GP to discuss my piles at 7.30pm on a Sunday – it can wait. Neither solicitors nor accountants work seven-day weeks, so why should we?
We need good services for unscheduled care but there are not enough GPs to cover today’s needs, and not enough in training to fill the gaps as us old chaps race for the exit. But politicians lack the will to say no.
The doctor-patient relationship is more than the customer-Tesco cashier relationship. Without demand control, the NHS will go bankrupt.
From Dr Peter Swinyard, chair of the Family Doctor Association, via pulsetoday.co.uk
