"Second, NHS Direct provides a unique service: a first port-of-call when spending 4 hours waiting in the doctor's surgery (if they run walk-in services) or a 3 week wait for an appointment (if they don't) seems pointless." An alternative for the enquirer, and one that's been used for many years, is for them to consult their local pharmacist. Perhaps interesting comparisons could be made here. Tim TIM TWELVETREE PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH AND RESOURCE CENTRE, THE UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD 4TH FLOOR HUMPHREY BOOTH HOUSE HULME PLACE THE CRESCENT SALFORD M5 4AQ UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD THE CRESCENT SALFORD M5 4WT TEL: 0161 295 2802 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%