Letter: Efficiency versus Christianity in the new-look health service

Sir: You report the Bishop of Birmingham condemning the changes in the NHS, but your headline speaks of 'Tory health reforms'. Since the great Reform Act early last century, which initiated progress towards universal suffrage, the word 'reform' has had a positive meaning. Some of the so-called reforms of our present government have emasculated our great institutions: local democracy, an independent civil service and, of course, the NHS.

This kind of blind, arrogant meddling is neither positive nor truly conservative. Reform it is not. Is there another word for it? 'Changes' would at least be neutral.

Yours faithfully,

R. J. HALL

Chichester, West Sussex

4 July