Only 1 GP in a surgery

[amillionyears]

AIBU to think these are inherently and potentially dangerous.
I didnt think they were allowed to exist any more.
And I have been surprised that so many MNetters have said there is only 1 GP at their surgery.

Personally I think dispensing GPs are a similarly worrying concept - not that Shipman was (insofar as I think it was something of a free-for-all in those days?). Again, this is not because I think GPs are murdering bastards, they quite clearly are not. But I think the split of responsibilities between prescriber and dispenser is better - for them and for the patient. However, certain circumstances require this.

Are you saying that the single handed GPs also dispense,I hadnt thought of that.,I suppose some of them must do.

No, although it's mainly a rural phenomenon, done where the patient isn't able to get to a pharmacy (based on an assessment of distance and ill-health/mobility, not 'can't be arsed going to Boots' or anything).

Sorry tribpot but dispensing is not based on ill-health/mobility. It is a service that the health board have to award to a GP practice and it is based on the individual community as a whole and the availability of a pharmacy within that community. If a practice does dispense it is because there is no pharmacy for the patient to access - not because the patient isnt able to get to one.

In our case our practice dispenses as the alternative would be a 150 mile round trip to get our medication.

Amillionyears how do you see the finances working with two part time GPs? Most part time GPs have a partner who works full time this is much less likely to happen in these remote areas due lack of other employment. I' m thinking for example of the Shetlands where other employment on the Northern Isles is farming or fishing.
Do you have any experience of these remote areas and how difficult it can be to find one full time doctor for the surgery let alone 2 part time.

I agree that that particular situation could be tricky to overcome.