Letter: Health bosses 'vital for care'

Ms Rosey Foster
Thursday 04 August 1994 23:02 BST
Comments

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: It was with anxiety that I read the article ('Managers in family doctor practices rise by 41 per cent', 3 August) about the rise of 'grey suits' in primary care. I would never classify myself, nor our members, nor the type of work we do, as being of the 'grey suit' variety.

Dawn Primarolo's statement appears to be based on a simple misconception. Practice managers are not bureaucrats. They do not sit around pushing pens but play a vital role in the practical day-to-day running of a GP surgery - delivering and improving the quality of patient care.

The increase in numbers, though, means that to guarantee the highest level of patient care, managers need to be sufficiently qualified to handle the ever-increasing responsibilities they face. What Dawn Primarolo should really be arguing is what the Association of Managers in General Practice is championing - maintaining and furthering management standards in primary care. Without this it does not matter how many practice managers there are, nor what colour suits they wear, patient care will suffer.

Yours faithfully,

ROSEY FOSTER

Chief Executive

Association of Managers in

General Practice

London, SW7

3 August

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in