Miss Polly had a dolly

The nursery rhyme by Dr Corbett1 repeats the mischievous myth that GPs are to blame for the pressures on A&E departments. She should consider adding this verse in the interests of balance:

Miss Polly gave her GP stick, stick, stick,

For not doing a home visit quick, quick, quick,

But she managed to travel to A&E,

Though it was further than the surgery!

She waited 3 hours and 59 mins

Until the nice nurse called her in,

The nurse explained it’s just a cold, cold, cold,

Just as your doctor told, told, told.

• © British Journal of General Practice 2013