All GPs have problems when they first start in practice

EDITOR—Easterbrooke, a locum general practitioner, finds it almost impossible to complete a modern consultation in the short time allocated.1 I sympathise and have written him this letter.

Dear Jonathan,

I completely understand your view. When I first started general practice 10 years ago my average consultation time was 14 minutes. I overran, always missed my coffee breaks, and found it difficult to understand how the other partners coped. Ten years on it is very different. I have discovered that it is neither …