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In praise of surgery
• FOLLOWING the article on the row about inadequate surgeries, I have to speak out on behalf of the St Peter’s Street surgery (Surgeries ‘no better than cattle marts’, February 29).
The doctors are more than attentive, as are the reception staff and nurses.
In 2006, I became very seriously ill with cancer. As soon as Dr Karen Summerfield received the report of my condition, she phoned me, expressing her concern, discussed my condition and subsequent treatment. She told me I could expect the support of the practice, which I have received during and after my treatment involving chemotherapy, huge surgery and more chemo.
There were times when, having contacted the Macmillan nurse (also magnificent), she would arrange for whatever medication I needed, and would then tell me: “Send somebody to the surgery now. The prescription will be waiting for you.”
The practice remains more than supportive now that I have made a good recovery.
Maureen Lyons
Sudeley Street, N1
• YOU report that a medical centre lies empty and another GP’s surgery in Highbury is to close (Doctors’ base lies empty as surgery shuts, February 1).
The government claims to want to reduce car journeys, but the authorities keep allowing vital local amenities such as GPs’ surgeries, hospitals, post offices, schools and shops to close.
This forces people into their cars to drive to ones further away, because often public transport is not available.
The extra car miles travelled adds to pollution, which can trigger lung problems that cost the NHS a great deal to treat.
Government figures state that 24,000 early UK deaths a year are caused by traffic fumes.
This poor planning and lack of joined-up thinking by the authorities needs to change. They should be encouraging community facilities that people can walk to.
A Wills
Ruislip
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