Letter: Power to the GPs

Sir: I applaud the Government's intention to move away from the NHS internal market and give budgets for hospital, primary and community care to GPs. However, in your leader of 12 November you are right to question whether GPs have the interest or managerial capacity to run the commissioning process.

There are already recruitment problems in general practice and there is doubt whether we will soon have enough GPs left on the front line treating patients. It seems folly to divert GP time into commissioning unless you increase the number of GPs. I am a front-line GP and I train new GPs. I suggest the Government starts by looking closely at the number of recruits to general practice and the management training they receive.

ANITA CAMPBELL

Sheffield