Sir, I refer to a recent letter from M. Storey on this subject (BDJ 2005; 199: 695). How times have changed and not for the better. My father in the 1930s and later I, in the late 1950s, were trained to believe that relief of pain was and is the primary objective of any health professional. To this end we were available at all hours of the day and night to treat any patients, registered or not, as their pain required. As recently as five years ago I saw patients at midnight or later as their need arose. Very few abused this. Now we need an algorithm, a primary care trust, a general practitioner and Uncle Tom Cobbley to even decide if treatment is necessary let alone do it. In retirement all I can do is feel sorry for the low level of emergency cover now provided. A decent call out fee and some compassion can bring immense goodwill, lasting years, as well as doing what we are primarily trained for. Bring back compassion for those in pain please. Or is A&E to go down the same sorry path?