LETTER:Can we afford ill-health?
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.From Dr A. R. Cadamy
Sir: A health authority has only so much money and doctors are asked to agonise over who should receive treatment and who be allowed to die ("Father fights refusal to fund transplant", 10 March). Contrast that with events at our local hospital.
After 23 years since the opening of the hospital to the public, a child playing near the stairs falls through the handrail. Within days money is found to box in all handrails in the hospital. A fire prevention officer does a survey, and within a year thousands of pounds are found to carry out his recommendations, which also involves closing two wards at a time for much of the year.
Why is it that the Health and Safety Executive and the Fire Prevention officer have absolute power over how NHS money is spent, with no apparent risk or cost-benefit analysis, while doctors have to justify spending money on someone who has as much as a 10 per cent chance of survival?
Yours faithfully,
A. R. CADAMY
Kildwick,
West Yorkshire
10 March
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments