Letter: Fundholding: bureaucratic and expensive
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: Our practice, the Highcliffe Medical Centre, which has the highest percentage of elderly patients in the country, and which consequently is perennially underfunded, went fundholding in 1993.
Since that time our patients, many of whom find travelling to hospital difficult, have been able to attend NHS physiotherapy, chiropody, dermatology, ultrasound testing, prostate screening, counselling, psychology support, and phlebotomy all at the practice. To this is shortly to be added audiology testing.
In addition they have a fully empowered Patient Participation Group closely involved in the strategic planning of practice development.
This year our total budget is likely to be overspent by a few thousand pounds. No doubt the Audit Commission would regard our experiment a failure. We doubt whether those patients who have benefited from the convenience of these services would agree.
Dr R C GILBERTSON
Highcliffe Medical Centre
Christchurch, Dorset
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments