Why sick children should go straight to a GP

SIR – I am sure many other doctors will be perturbed about the latest NHS campaign to encourage parents of sick children to seek advice from a pharmacist rather than a GP (report, February 12).

For the past 13 years, along with paediatric colleagues, I have been training GPS and nurse practitioners providing out-of-hours care. In dealing with children who are unwell, we have several key principles. First, symptoms are classed as minor with hindsight. Second, children are not mini adults, and their physiology is different. Third, children get sicker quickly, and can progress from minor illness to severe illness in a matter of hours.

Pharmacists are skilled professionals in their field, which involves the management of patients taking increasingly complex medicines, and guiding adults in the appropriate purchase of over-thecounter products. However, they are not trained in diagnosis or the physical examination of children.

Jeremy Hunt must distance himself from this misguided and dangerous campaign. There are many patients who can be appropriately diverted from GP care, but not sick children. Dr Robert Walker

Workington, Cumbria

SIR – It is pleasing that the NHS has acknowledged that pharmacists can be of value to the nation’s health.

When I entered pharmacy in 1940, it was common for a customer to come in and describe his or her symptoms. If appropriate, a bottle of medicine would be prepared on the spot. Pharmacists also treated cuts and burns.

Of course, if the patient’s symptoms seemed more serious, they would be referred to a doctor. Richard I Felix

Heswall, Wirral