ABSTRACT
Dr Ruth Clarke has been working as a GP partner for the past 3 years. During this time the practice has had a change in staff; they have had to replace the practice manager, one GP retired and another emigrated to Canada. Despite advertising to fill their positions, there has not been any interest. Workload has increased due to the building of a new nursing home and housing estate within the practice boundaries. Financial income is beginning to suffer as there is not enough time to meet additional government targets. Although she has previously enjoyed her job, Ruth is becoming emotionally exhausted by the constant stream of patients – both the chronically ill and the worried well. Last week she overheard one of the secretaries telling the receptionist that there was concern that patients were beginning to notice that she was less interested in their problems and some had even mentioned that they found her manner quite curt.
