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What a clear and insightful article Des Spence has written.1 It goes hand in hand with the rant by Johnny Vegas on the Last Leg show. The NHS is an example to all showing how so much can be done so effectively and reaching everyone. He is right to suggest separation of public and private medicine, to remove Pharma from the NHS, to embrace allied professions and to question restrictive work practices. I do however mourn the loss of the small GP unit and continuity of care. Being able to walk down the corridor of my practice and discuss cases with the attached health visitor or district nurse, to get an immediate response and to arrive at a shared management plan was so good. These days you send an email or leave a message on an answerphone which you hope may be replied to in time. Surely there must be a way to preserve continuity of care and the self contained practice unit without it being lost in the machinery of big business? Having retired from full-time practice after 27 years I now have the time to actually reflect on work and the future which is something which may not be possible for those striving in full-time work. I work now as a locum and continue to be impressed by the daily high quality care delivered by partners in the practice I serve.
Reference
1. Spence D. Bad Medicine: The NHS at 70. Br J Gen Pract 2018;
Show MoreCompeting Interests: None declared.