No I am not Mrs. Brown thank you very much. I am more of a Mrs. Cameron wannabe.

No I don't work 24 hours a day. I too work in the service sector and I am expected to put long hours in due to the complexity of some of my clients where their rush hour is during 6-8PM. Many people are in the same position as me.

The fact is we live in a 24 hour society and PEOPLE want a 24 hour doctors surgery whether that be in a form of a go to doc or a GP's office. People don't want to spend 3 hours waiting in A&E for something simple. People want to have somewhere which is easily accessible and on their doorstep. I find it absurd that most GP's don't open on a Sunday or operate on ridiculously short hours on a Saturday.

We don't need to do a run around to escape having to book an appointment a week in advance or having to speak to rude receptionists telling me what I should be doing.

You are a nurse and you wouldn't understand what people in the private sector have to put up with. You lot complain you have unsociable hours, but those hours are flexible!

People won't mind putting more money in as long as they see a return. GP's are already paid over £100k a year. That's the problem. GP's becoming fat cats who don't care for their patients and are more bothered putting in less hours, for more money.

It makes me wonder what Dr. Chand's motives are here? Is he trying to get on the board for the local PCT?

   Are you Mrs brown? would you like to work 24 hours a day? Oh don't tell me you do! I actually have a life. You will need extra staff to work the extra hours, so are you prepared to pay extra for these services?

   But we now live in a 24 hour society Karla. Get over it.

I have friends who are nurses and medical assistance has never been a problem for them as the GPs are always on hand for them!

   Dr Chand wants to concentrate his time on being a Dr, as I am sure this is what he is being paid for. He is not being fair to his patients because instead of listening to their problems, he is busy pondering his next letter to the Advertiser.

   I work in a gp practice as a dispenser and how do people think we get to go and see our doctor or dentist if we are working all hours going? Yes doctors get paid enough, but do you think we do? You are allowed to go in work time to see a doctor. People do not need to see a doctor at 8pm at night, if you were that ill you'd go and see a doctor in the morning. A doctors surgery is not a TESCO 24 hour shop!!!

   Who is featured more?

Dr Kailash Chnd Irene Woodcock John Taylor

Now that would be interesting to find out.

I have to work long hours too and my employer ums and ars when I ask to take time off for the doctors. The only time which is convenient to me is after work and so is for many people. GPs are paid enough. They should stop moaning and get on with the job they are paid handsomely to do.

   I have read with interest Dr Kailash Chand's comments. I quite agree with him. The NHS is one of the best services in the world, full of highly committed staff. Every doctor I have met is extremely hard working but to expect them all to work 12 hours a day seems unreasonable. Such long hours are not standard in any comparable profession. It is not expected of solicitors, accountants, even NHS managers, yet many of them earn far more money. It is time for the government to stop targeting the medical profession and undervaluing the important work carried out by doctors and nurses across the country. Jagdish Asthana Consultant Paediatrician Tameside