I READ with interest the comments from one of your readers regarding the 'lazy and pampered' lives that GPs now live.

I can understand why she feels as she does. I have now worked in the profession for touching on 30 years.

When I first started working, 100+ hours per week was the norm.

The culture was baptism by fire, if you weren't able to survive the verbal bashings from the consultants or the chronic lack of sleep then you simply weren't fit enough to do the job.

You might wonder why we tolerated working under such conditions.

Quite simply it was what you did. If you complained, your career would be affected. Furthermore overtime was paid at a third of the pay of basic time, so hospital managers had a strong incentive to employ few doctors to work long hours.

But this excellent system had a few obvious drawbacks - such as falling asleep whilst trying to take a history, and the fact that trying to bring up a young family is not compatible with working such ridiculous hours.

In the end, the welfare of patients ended the abuse of junior doctors - the evidence mounted that it simply wasn't safe.

I now work a modest 50 hour week. I see my family. I have time to do other things outside of the consulting room. I sleep more than seven hours most nights. I never fall asleep during a consultation. I work a lot more efficiently, hence only visiting patients when absolutely necessary.

Contrary to what you might think if you read the Daily Mail, I don't spend any time on the golf course.

The nature of General Practice has changed dramatically during my career predominantly because we're all living longer and healthier lives.

Twenty years ago men retired at 65 years and died shortly after. Now people live a significant chunk of their lives in retirement. It is common for patients to have multiple complex illnesses and solely to be cared for by their practice. The skills of being a 21st century GP are significant. Life expectancy during my career has increased by seven years.

General Practice remains a highly stressful job. It is impossible to keep everyone happy and yet patient expectations are higher than ever. Sadly, even though I personally believe that being a GP in Bournemouth is the best job on the planet, there are many external pressures which at times makes the job intolerable.

GPs are retiring earlier and fewer young doctors see General Practice as their preferred career.

As a result, even in Bournemouth, we are experiencing a recruitment crisis.

Your reader seemed to feel that there are many overseas doctors who would gladly fill our vacant posts. The reality is the opposite and Brexit has only compounded that problem.

These pressures have mounted to such an extent that many GPs are becoming depressed. I am now also part of a new health service which has been specifically set up to support GPs with mental health and addiction problems.

I can reassure your reader than I am not seeing GPs who have been burnt out due to the stress of trying to drop their golf handicap, but rather a group of highly dedicated doctors who have been desperately trying to help their patients in the midst of the worst recruitment crisis we have experienced in the NHS.

These selfless doctors have worked longer and longer hours in an attempt to help their patients.

By the time I have seen them they are utterly exhausted and empty.

So the next time you see your GP, please spare a thought for them. General Practice is still a great job but it is more demanding than ever.

DR NIGEL COWLEY

GP lead for GP Health Service in Wessex