Letter: Paying for the NHS

Sir: Those who can afford to pay for private health care help those who cannot by not using the National Health Service ("If the NHS is to get better, we must involve the private sector", 12 November).

If we allow the private sector in to run the NHS, then profit will take the place of people and cash will come before care. We must remember that private-sector businesses have to return a profit for their shareholders.

If that is not enough, look at the railways, the mines, the bus companies and ask yourself, do you want a National Health Service run on similar lines?

DAVID HARDING-PRICE

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Newark

Lincoln