Supermarket style
Sir: The article 'Supermarket style' shows that John Rowan Wilson is out of touch with modern Ges. Unfortunately, so too are many other writers on the subject, including Professor Henry Miller if the quotation from Encounter is anything to go by.
As a GP with many colleagues and friends who are also GPs, I would like to take issue with both of them.
Firstly, last year's pay award (much of which has
not yet arrived) has not taken 'the GP'S mind off his financial plight.' The new pay structure has %nun to give him 'a chance to consider the best way of organising medical services.'
Secondly, a large part of general practice consists of dealing with the personal and psychological problems for which one has to be 'guide. philoso- pher and friend.' Many of us are even trying nowa- days to cure the problems.
Thirdly, 'the widespread extension of group prac-
tice, duty rosters and commuting practice' (the last of these surely involves only a small number of ups) has not affected the practitioner's personal responsibilities to any great extent.
I know of no Ge who claims 'society's special consideration.' All we want is freedom to do our job properly. There is a long way to go yet, but that is another story. Certainly the work of most of us does not and never will take place in an atmosphere of 'aseptic anonymity.'
Of course GPs have misgivings about the future.
Doesn't everyone? Nevertheless I am sure I have the support of most of my colleagues when I say that there is no reason why the personal doctor- patient relationships of the future will be funda- mentally different from those of today or yesterday.
So do not fear, John Rowan Wilson. There may not be a roll-top desk or horsehair couch in the consulting room of the future, but there will still be laughter (and tears).
M. M. Sundle 25 Edgwarebury Lane, Edgware, Middlesex
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