DOCTORS are reaching the end of their tether because some patients are making "outrageous" demands on them.

Some older doctors are now desperate to quit the profession. Patients must take some responsibility for their own health, he says, and think twice before summoning doctors at night. And Farnworth GP Dr Barry Silvert and his colleagues want a nationwide campaign urging patients not to abuse the out of hours' service. No doctor wants a sick patient who needs medical attention not to seek it, whatever the time of day.

But, some people feel they have a right to a 24-hour service from our GPs, even when the symptoms are trivial.

There is already a shortage of younger people becoming doctors so our GPs are doubly precious. We need to look after them and ensure their well-being, or, in the long-term, it will certainly affect ours.

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