Opinion  

I wasn't a fan of Mrs Thatcher's NHS reforms and voted for Mr Blair and Mr Brown in 1997, thinking that they could bring about genuine improvements. How daft can you get?

Thank you for pointing out last week that a large number of general practices are destined to go under (GP, 2 May).

There is a perception that the NHS is becoming increasingly Stalinist. Lord Stasi has announced his five year plan.

We are to have polit-clinics. However, they won't be forced on us; PCTs will set up public consultations and the outcome will bear an uncanny resemblance to what they've already been told to do.

In nearly 30 years in general practice, I've never known the health service in such a mess.

Despite headlines proclaiming record GP earnings, the struggle to keep the practice afloat and to ensure even the most basic standard of care has never been harder.

There is a sustained attempt to close small practices, particularly where they compete with facilities run by the PCT. The polit-clinics will not be made to compete on a level playing field.

At my surgery we've never had it so bad. Blair and Brown said: 'Things can only get better.' My patients are still waiting.

Dr John Cormack, South Woodham Ferrers, Essex.