Quote Originally Posted by Chris View Post
So if you've got a foot problem go and pay and see a foot specialist.

Why would we as runners expect our GP to sort it out? G stands for "General".

No, if you've got a foot problem you go and ask your GP about it. Even if you are sure the ailment you have is due to running you should still see your GP first if only to ask to be referred to a specialist/physio/podiatrist etc.
You may be unable to put up with the problem until you get to the top of the waiting list and decide to pay privately instead, but to go down the private route before trying anything else is like sending your kids to a public school without even looking at the state schools available locally (which may happen to be superb performers). Very nice if you can easily afford it, but for the huge majority of citizens not an option.