Along with a number of doctors in our area, I was invited to sell my practice to a large medical corporation. The price certainly exceeded that which I could expect from the "market".

I rejected the offer on several grounds.

I believe professional compromises must result when doctors hand over ownership and control of their practice to non-medical entrepreneurs. Our patients prefer the personal environment of the small group practice. There is evidence vertical integration and corporatisation will ultimately reduce the quality of health care. This is exactly what has happened in the USA..

We enjoy the challenge of primary care for a variety of patients. We have skills in paediatrics, women’s health, sports medicine, minor surgery, travel medicine, counselling and cancer screening. We collect our own pathology specimens. Our knowledge is regularly upgraded with continuing medical education. We refer to top quality hospitals, specialists and paramedics of our choosing, with no pressure from a corporate owner

My colleagues; Dr Janet Kitchener-Smith, Dr Bambi Markus and I, at the Avenue Road Medical Practice, look forward to maintaining the commitment and continuity of care for which we are recognised in this community.