The ups and downs of GP life.

In this issue of the journal Ding et al 1 discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the salaried employment option for GPs. Also in this issue David Jewell2 comments on the lack of partnership opportunities for newly qualified GPs. From Birmingham3 we hear of plans for franchised surgeries. The fear of the approach of ‘Tesco Doc’ grows. A few years ago it looked as if the sessional GPs might take over the world.4 ‘Where there is no vision the people perish’ says the psalmist. Another translation has it ‘where there is no vision the people run around aimlessly.’ The map and territory of UK general practice is currently up for grabs (and the College's Road Map is an excellent attempt for the profession to grab this territory5). With the outlook for general practice so uncertain, the …