I FEEL that GP receptionists perform a valuable, difficult service that is often unrecognised and certainly underpaid.

People who are ill are often not at their best and humans can be difficult.

The complexity of human interactions and the receptionists' tasks as a gatekeeper almost invite conflict. So be kind to receptionists.

Dave King's article in the Daily Echo is worthy of support for a number of reasons.

Firstly it speaks for many people that otherwise would not be heard.

Many women will testify how difficult it is for them to get their husbands or partners to go to a GP.

Male health, be it depression, prostate cancer or bowel cancer, are neglected areas in health.

Dave, through a honest bit of journalism, provides a story that would otherwise not be heard.

PATRICK COOPER-DUFFY, Eling.