MOST people take it for granted that they will be able to make an appointment to see their GP.

It may not necessarily be as immediate as they would like, although in 'emergency' situations a slot would usually be found with an alternative doctor.

But the fragility of provision has been brought into sharp focus with the temporary closure two days a week of Long Lee Surgery, due to a shortage of GPs.

Hopefully the situation will not have too big an impact on patients.

It is likely to be more of an inconvenience, particularly for less-mobile people who would struggle to travel to the main practice, rather than a life-or-death predicament.

However, this does clearly demonstrate the huge challenges now facing our overstretched health services.

It is more evidence, were it needed, that the situation is close to breaking point.

Staffing problems in our hospitals tend to grab most of the headlines, but the issue is wider than that.

Increasing demands are being made on our dedicated medical staff, but there are not the numbers to manage the surge.

We are fortunate in this country to have the healthcare that we do.

It is all the more imperative that everything possible is done to protect it.