Letter: Cure for the NHS

Sir: Your leading article of 6 January states clearly why voters who "want to spend more on the NHS ... will have to meet the costs". Now is the time for the Government to take advantage of the value which the great majority of the population place on the principles of our NHS, and to introduce a Health Service Levy on every one in paid employment, graduated to income.

There always seems to be Treasury resistance to a hypothecated tax, but there would be general understanding of the reasoning behind a levy specifically dedicated to the NHS.

We cannot afford to overlook the strength of opinion which wishes the NHS to be in a position to meet its obligations, and is prepared to contribute towards achieving them.

PETER F JONES

Aberdeen

The writer is Emeritus Clinical Professor of Surgery, University of Aberdeen