Tom - Not all GPs are bad... as you know. I worked in general practice until 2 years ago and most of my colleagues and I had a good rapport with our local ambulance crews - we only called when necessary, always examined thoroughly, ECG'd and intubated patients and put in iv lines where appropriate and pre-warned the hospital of the patient's impending arrival. We always sent a letter outlining examination findings, together with a computer printout of PMH, meds and allergies etc (where time and circumstances permitted). We also updated our CPR skills annually. Unfortunately, there was one individual in the practice who didn't care two hoots and I can recall one day having a patient with a respiratory arrest, who the senior partner and myself were treating - along with the practice nurse, FRU pilot and land ambo crew. This individual stuck his head around the treatment room door and asked the paramedic to move his ambo so he could get his car off the car park! One of the reasons why I left medicine and the NHS...together with the increasing bureaucracy and crap produced by the local PCT!! Much of this GP behaviour is a sad reflection of the low morale as a result of this mindless pen pushing and box ticking exercise the job has become, together with the selection of med school candidates on academic merit rather than their motivation for the job - having five grade A's at 'A' level does not necessarily make a good doctor. Doctors are not taught first aid in med school - I enrolled on a local course (to much amusement and derision) but it should become compulsory. You should have reported the individual, as he will continue to practise 'bad medicine' - mind you, chances are he'll just get an admonishment anyway! Keep up the good work Tom, nice to know there are people who still care in the NHS.