Now the gas man insists on full medical details

sir – Marcus Lawrence (Letters, November 25) says he must tell his symptoms to his GP’S receptionist before he is “progressed” into the system. I sympathise. He should try contacting British Gas Homecare to obtain an engineer’s visit – as I did in respect of a broken boiler.

I was asked: “Do you or any member of your household have a medical condition?” This despite my 40-year membership of Homecare.

I answered: “Yes – but I feel this is of no concern to British Gas.”

“Unless you tell me what the condition is – to note on our records – I am unable to assist,” came the reply.

Having, reluctantly, explained that it was cancer-related, I was able to book an appointment to be seen in a few weeks’ time.

Malcolm Emmerson

Barnet, Hertfordshire sir – Kevin Mann (Letters, November 25) berates GPS for “hiding behind their computers” and not allowing face-to-face consultations.

He is of course welcome to sit in reception at the surgery where I train. I am sure he will feel quite comfortable surrounded by patients coughing and sneezing around him and will happily accept the risk of acquiring Covid.

However, once he has needlessly been exposed to Covid, whom will he blame and, more importantly, whom will he put at risk should he require treatment for an infection he could have avoided?

Believe me, I would much rather see patients face-to-face. However, my first duty is to do no harm. Putting patients at risk of Covid would be to breach that oath.

Dr Steven R Hopkins

Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire