The real value of our GPS

Sir, – I always find it instructive to read readers’ letters concerning general practitioners.

Once you wade through the waffle about triaging, delegation to nursing staff, absenteeism due to pursuing other activities, non-availability 24/7, 52 weeks a year, the writers usually cut to the chase – general practitioners’ monstrous salaries.

It never ceases to amaze me that a society prepared to pay a footballer half a million pounds a week for kicking a ball about for a few hours, or a pop star for twanging a guitar, would begrudge a decent salary and working conditions to people who are saving lives.

The response might be that market forces determine the wages of footballers and pop stars, but consider the consequences if GPS decided to test the demand for their services by withdrawing their labour and demanding a million pounds a year?

We would have to pay them or hospitals would simply vanish under the tide of patients.

Sometimes it isn’t hard to understand how Jonathan Swift became a complete misanthrope.

To the doctors’ critics I would say, at your next consultation, look your GP straight in the eye and tell him what you think.

You might find he has forgotten to warm up his stethoscope!

George Dobbie. 51 Airlie Street, Alyth, Blairgowrie.