[Margaret Pilkington]

Another one of the big problems which preceded this debacle is the decision in 2004 to allow GPs to opt out of providing out of hours cover. This was under the auspices of a Labour goverment presided over by the delightful Tony Blair.

The provision of health care has never been a 9-5 situation, and people who go into this profession are aware of this...and that there will be times at weekends, nights, public holidays when they are required to provide services.
GPs are no different and some of them are paid a lot of money to provide a service.
They know this when they take on the job. It is time the got themselves organised and provided services that reflect the pay they are getting.
As Guinness pointed out, the days when people worked Monday to Friday are long gone.
GP services should reflect the needs of their patients and not close on a Wednesday afternoon for 'staff training'. Yes, staff have to be trained, but the service still has to be maintained...with good appropriate management it can be done.