How the foundations of the NHS are being eroded

‘Such work has little human nourishment, interest or satisfaction. This is a major reason for the profession’s demoralised crumbling.’ Photograph: parkerphotography/Alamy

Dr Gavin Francis’s article (‘Voters are unhappier with the NHS than they’ve been for 30 years. As a GP, I feel the same’, 24 August) is a remarkably well-informed, personally witnessed and broad analysis of our NHS problems, and general practice in particular.

Yet the clarity of that view is likely to be lost to successive younger GPs. Dr Francis is in his 50s and has served in the same practice for many years. He is able to write of staff who are familiar to him, and of patients whose stories and experiences he has long shared. He writes with warmth and gratitude of the meaning that such a sense of community has given his own life.