I would like to balance the observation 'Family doctors question wisdom of nursing reform proposals' (Nursing Standard week ending October 10,1987). Our reservations are about the 'here and now' based on the practical experience of Britain's 30,000 general practitioners which the General Medical Services Committee of the BMA represents. We believe that insufficient emphasis has been placed upon the quality of the professional life of nurses working today - unattractive salary levels, inflexible working arrangements, inadequate support and supervision, particularly for those in training, plus ever increasing demands for greater productivity are the factors which need tackling. These problems need immediate attention. It is only then that the highly laudable objectives of raising the status and standards of practice of the nursing profession are likely to be achieved.