Cheery chappy, very cordial, been seeing him for years for whatever needs doing in the nasher department. Imagine my surprise when his receptionist asked for up-front payment

Excuse me?
I'll just go and see him and then give you a cheque on the way out, OK?

, and with that I went upstairs. It turns out that procedures have been changed ~ NHC / PCT etc and it's right there on the forms now

Apparently this happened in April and he's one that's piloting the scheme. Oh dear

It has, apparently reduced his bad debt runners anyway although a depressing sign of the times for the regulars who've known him for years.