Cameron’s seven-day GP service is a mad promise straight out of ‘Yes, Prime Minister’

I love the series Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister for many reasons, among them the timeless, elegant dialogue that can be applied to today’s politics.

Hearing the pledge emanating from Number 10 that very soon the UK will enjoy a ‘seven-day a week GP service’, conveniently devoid of any details as to how that service will be funded, staffed or brought to fruition, I am reminded of the following exchange:

“Humphrey, I’ve been thinking.”
“Good.”
“I’m sure you will agree that so far my Premiership has been a great success”
“Oh indeed!”
“Yes, and I’ve been asking myself what I can do to continue this run of success.”
“Have you considered masterly inactivity?”
“A PM must be firm.”
“Indeed. How about firm, masterly inactivity?”
“No, Humphrey; I have an idea,”
“Excellent, Prime Minister!”

A seven-day GP service is such an idea; it will allow healthcare delivery to match changing working hours, give those people working shifts or long hours during the week the opportunity to seek healthcare at convenient times and decrease wait times in Casualty.