He's right though. Why even visit doctors if you know more than them?

I think the user you are responding to is a banned troll with a new username, save your breath.

I'd quite happily pay for a private GP,

I'm pretty sure you can if you wish. Not had bad service myself from most GPs though, it's the next level of care that's much more hit and miss IME.

No, General Practice is definitely not just a referral service, and never really was. You are forgetting that a lot of people presenting to GP don't need referring on, and also that GPs manage a huge amount of chronic disease.

Everyone thinks that they're experts, teachers get it in the neck from people who think they know better, doctors get it in the neck from people who think they can out diagnose them and scientists get it in the neck from prats who think their quickly thought out diatribes render climate change science bunk or that animal testing serves no useful purpose what so ever.

I wanted to change something within human biology, so I studied and took a degree in it. I don't expect climate scientists to tell me how to do my job, if you don't like something - actually study the subject you're talking about and change it from within.

I'm not the only one either

http://www.livescience.com/9616-modern-problem-expert.html

FFS. :roll:

Fortunately for me in Spain you're legally allowed to take time off work for medical visits - obviously in practise if you abuse this right you'll soon get a black mark against you in work, but the occasional visit is completely normal and acceptable.

Somehow I doubt the current UK government will be changing the law to allow that, though!

Back to the good old days when the doctor knew best and was free to speak his or her mind (eg being able to tell people to harden up)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwkOAueZbBY