Marina Bigger looks at how the political context has extensively changed the face of primary health care over the last decade and how recently published discussion document, represents an abrupt change of policy, which has traditionally argued that doctors should be the first point of contact in the NHS. This article will present arguments debating the maintenance of the gatekeeper function of primary care as it currently operates in the UK
Marina T. Bigger, BSc (Hon), RGN, RHV, Dip Asthma, PgD, Asthma Compliance is a Lecturer in Community Nursing, University of Ulster. Article accepted for publication: September 2003