An unseemly row erupted yesterday when the CBI and British Medical Association (BMA) clashed over GP services.
The employers group said restricted opening hours, difficulty in booking appointments and the limited range of services on offer in many surgeries was resulting in millions of lost working days and affecting people's health.
The CBI want patients to be able to register at more than one practice, allowing working people to access GP services near work.
It also suggested more primary care services should also made available over the counter from qualified pharmacists or in-store nurses, or from walk-in centres in train stations, for example.
The body also said new providers must be allowed to enter the market, for instance to deliver health services in areas with too few doctors and in deprived neighbourhoods.
The BMA hit back by saying the reason so many working days were lost was because of a failure of employers to provide their staff with proper occupational health services.
"The CBI and its members should put their own house in order before trying to heap the blame on general practice," the BMA said.
Ouch. While this row may make good headlines, it doesn't really help workers stuck in the middle.
Both sides have a point. Being able to register with a GP near your place of work would be a start, out of hours appointments would make life a lot easier.
But employers should also being upping their game in providing proper OH services to staff. Only the largest do so at the moment.
Access to GP care will be one of the central themes of the NHS review being carried out by health minister Lord Darzi.
He will also be hosting a conference looking at improving patient access, such as locating GPs in gyms and supermarkets, with companies including Virgin, Boots, Bupa and Lloyds Pharmacy due to attend.
So it seems the government agrees with CBI that things have to change.
But a good starting point would be for doctors and employers to talk sensibly to each other to move things forward, rather than indulging in a public slanging match.
