HEALTH Secretary Frank Dobson hears there is a looming recruitment crisis among GPs in East Lancashire (LET, November 9).

Do readers know what it is like lately, trying to get a new GP after moving house?

Many surgeries are not taking on new patients due to being "full," or have strict geographical limits.

A shortage of existing GPs due to retirements and a lack of incentive for them to live in East Lancashire could only make matters worse.

With the introduction of the new Primary Care Group, GPs will be under further pressure.

They will save on Primary Care Boards which, as governing boards, implement health improvement standards.

With the "new" NHS there appears to be more costly bureaucracy, which, while striving for excellence with new monitoring mechanisms created, can sadly fail the patients it initially intends to help.

MRS KATHLEEN BULCOCK, Wilkie Avenue, Burnley.

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