Welcome U-turn from NHS reform that no-one wants

the coalition Government is forced into a U-turn on National Health Service changes (Yorkshire Post, April 5).

Ministers are ignored, and “buried” a recent survey which proved that 64 per cent of the people are satisfied with the present structure of the Health Service, and do not understand why a partnership of two unelected political bodies should bring in a system which they do not understand, and do not want.

Next year English students starting university courses will be called upon to commit themselves to almost a lifetime of debt faced with the imposition of the new £9,000-a-year fees which will be paid wherever they study in Britain.

Welsh students will continue to pay £3,290-a-year, subsidised by the country’s Assembly. Scotland will not impose fees for its students.

Students and parents of English students will be shocked by this unfairness, but also will be very angry to learn that European Union undergraduates from outside of Britain will be treated the same as the natives of Scotland and Wales while attending the country’s universities.

Once again, the coalition Government should perform a U-turn and determine that their English constituents are treated the same as the Scottish, Welsh and Europeans.

From: Dr Arnold Zermansky GP, The Fairway, Leeds.

THE reason that Andrew Lansley has been forced to backpedal on his NHS reforms is not that he has failed to explain them to the public, but because the public (which has more sense than you or he gives it credit for) sees them for what they are.

They are a threat to the NHS that we love and an attempt to make our service into a vehicle for profit for his big business friends.

It is no surprise that neither doctors nor nurses nor any other group of health professionals, let alone patients, has welcomed them.

Even his Lib Dem lapdogs have challenged them. I think his days as Health Secretary are numbered.

From: Roy Hutchings, Secretary, North Yorkshire County Labour Party local government committee, Northallerton.

I RECENTLY wrote to my MP William Hague to voice concern about the Health Secretary’s proposed changes to the National Health Service.

I pointed out that here in Northallerton, the Friarage Hospital, anecdotally has a very high quality of care and recovery.

While it is necessary in this rural area to transfer some patients to units in Darlington or Middlesbrough for specialist treatment, the local hospital in the Richmond constituency still plays a vital role.

In my opinion, the NHS should be about co-operation and quality care for patients. My worry about Health Secretary Andrew Lansley’s concept is that it introduces too much idealistic competition and privatisation.

From: Elizabeth M Crabtree, Fairfax Road, Cullingworth.

THE article by Mark Bradley (Yorkshire Post, April 1) about cheap and nasty hospital food was quite disturbing. I feel I must give an opposite view, as my own experience was quite different.

There was always a choice of three meals (one Halal for the Muslims) or a salad, and a sweet course (also with choice). All were well-cooked and appetising. This was in Airedale Hospital six years ago, but I’ve visited others there since and they have all praised the food. I hope all hospitals will be able to reach the same standard before long.