Should we have to pay to see the GP?

I COULDN’T agree more with Sarah Vine that we should have to pay to see the GP (Mail). Last month, there were 156 missed appointments at my GP surgery. Some may have had a genuine reason for not attending, but the majority were simply too lazy or selfish to cancel their unwanted appointment so someone else could book it. Introducing a charge for non-attendance would help stop this.

GARY LLOYD, Harlow, Essex. HAVEN’T we been paying to see a GP all our working life? It’s called National Insurance contributions.

JIM TRIcKETT, Pontefract, W. Yorks.

I LIVED in Portugal for several years where everyone has to pay five euros before they can book to see a GP. This is standard practice in most EU countries. This nominal fee helps cut the number of timewasters and drastically reduces waiting times for those who genuinely need to see a doctor.

A. ROBERTSON, Sherborne, Dorset. I’VE just come back from the doctor’s surgery, where I was in and out by the time of my booked appointment. The reason for this was due to the number of earlier patients who had failed to turn up. When I once forgot a NHS dentist appointment, I had to pay £10. Something similar could easily be introduced for GP surgeries. It would stop people making appointments they don’t need and so don’t bother turning up for and provide some much-needed revenue.

cLIVE BIRcHFIELD, Reading, Berks.