The series about life in the British countryside focuses this week on the future for the family doctor in rural areas. As more rural general practices become fund-holding, the programme investigates whether patients are losing out. Presenter John Craven talks to Dr Gareth Emrys-Jones about his thriving fund-holding five-surgery partnership in Devon. He claims that waiting list times have been cut and new services added.
Arguing the case against fund-holding is Dr Bruce Herriot who runs a small rural surgery in Cradley, Worcestershire. He believes that the system creates a two-tier health service and undermines the doctor/patient relationship. Plus the regular look at the weather for the week ahead.
Executive producer Tim Manning
(Rev repeat next Sunday)
SEE THIS WEEK page 10