TY - JOUR T1 - The NHS at 60: time to end the fairy tale JF - British Journal of General Practice JO - Br J Gen Pract SP - 459 LP - 460 DO - 10.3399/bjgp08X302952 VL - 58 IS - 552 AU - Graham Watt Y1 - 2008/07/01 UR - http://bjgp.org/content/58/552/459.abstract N2 - ‘Mirror, mirror on the wall,Who's the fairest of us all?’In Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs there is a magic mirror that flatters all who look into it, saying there is none as fair as they. The NHS has a similar effect, reflecting our best ideas and wishes for free health care, treatment according to need, personalised service, fairness, and so on. But while everyone has been admiring themselves in this mirror, the world has moved on.The organisation can still be seen at its best in the handling of medical emergencies when the best care is brought to bear with the resources that are available, irrespective of who the patient is or the cost of treatment. Other cardinal features have been the list system in general practice, providing complete population coverage and access, with very little duplication; and the gate-keeping role of general practice, providing huge efficiencies for the service as a whole.1 Most importantly, the NHS has been a way of paying doctors and other staff so that, unlike many countries, money has been taken out of the consultation. It is a privilege for health professionals to care for patients in such circumstances.One of the most glowing features of the NHS, valued by both patients and professionals, is the consistently high level of trust in GPs that is expressed by patients. This trust is based (we like to think) on patients' experiences of familiarity, continuity, and fair dealing.Principal credit for these features of the NHS is due, not to the altruism and good intentions of people working in the service, or … ER -