GP strikers in danger of own goal

I whole heartily agree with you sentiments Mr Paragpuri.

Thanks Mr Dhanoa.

It's inspiring to see solidarity in their profession and all (a thing we sadly lack within Pharmacy) but choosing patients as the targets for this industrial action to make the NHS agree to their demands is a confusing decision.

It's like saying:
A thumps B. To stop A thumping him, B threatens to thump C. Despite the fact that C is entirely innocent and probably even sympathises with B.

What have patients done to deserve this from their trusted GPs? It's absurd.

When Politics enters any equation, common sense invariably flies out of the window. It is not about Labour or Conservative, it is all about the incompetent professional politicians we have been suffering for the last 15 years. Doctors striking? Whatever next? Doesn't their Hipocrytic oath figure somehwere?

Gary, I completely disagree and understand as a publisher that it is important to underline neutrality and that I fully respect.

However, anyone that sits in their professional bubble contemplating their navel lives in a state of self denial that politics does not have an influence on them is kidding themselves on and somewhat delusional.

Whether the politics are professional or party political, medical or pharmaceutical, office or street politcs then they do occur.

The complete lack of leadership within the pharmacy profession, across each sector and within professional bodies pro-actively sitting on the fence and having disparate organsations shooting off in tangents says it all about pharmacy acoss the piste.

Conversely, the medics, nurses and dentists have got it together and quite happy to give any politician or government minister a good drubbing and run for their money ref: RCN conferences.

I think the opt out clause on politics is a reflection of the insipid nature of pharmacy. I am not a member of a politcal party and voted for the Greens last time but it does not take a genuis to work out that pharmacy under the last government developed much more in terms of bring in the new contract, extended role services, MURs and pharmacist prescribing and medicines management role, A Spoonful of Sugar, and so on since 2001.

So I don't make an apology for making a comparison between pharmacy under two governments as that is purely observation and nothing else.

I stood as a local election candidate a couple of years ago and have represented my local area as a councillor on local issues. No I am not in local government or politics now. Prefer to be an observer.

Anyway, never knew you cared enough to go trawling the internet.....my little cyber stalker!

'The NPA recommends that pharmacists check what services their local surgeries will be operating on the day of the strike, as the level of activity may vary from practice to practice'

The comment from the NPA really says it all. We are supposed to responsibly carry on caring for the welfare of our customers while those who have taken an oath to serve the public continue in their pursuit of greed and self caring.This really has wider implications in that the majority of people are meant to endure austerity measures and pay freezes for the good of our country while we accept that company directors,doctors and the like are exempt from this call of conscience. Its quite in order as far as the government is concerned to pay the higher wages for their alleged talents which are completely unproven and not very easily assessed.

Hi

GP's will always in the pole position, regardless. The patients won't even notice the strike afterall if you are too hacked off and say so there is delisting.

As primary gatekeepers and funding is now through them, they don't acually need to strike just work to rule

Battening down for a day of emergency requests and associated complaints but as usual A&E will save the day

I have better things to do Gerry! It was mentioned on PJonline when someone was tearing one of your letters to shreds!