Letter: NHS funding
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.Sir: The spectre has again been raised of "the end of our free health service" (3 October). The inadequate resourcing of the National Health Service is plain to all. We have surgeons and anaesthetists standing idle, operating theatres standing empty, and patients standing waiting - because we cannot afford to pay for their operations and we will not pay nurses to look after them.
So who should pay? Either those who are earning must pay from increased taxes; or those who are ill (and therefore often not earning) must pay by the introduction of charges.
If our leaders insist on their dogma of reducing taxes, it will be the patients who are charged, placing the burden on the weak, and widening further the gap between the haves and the have nots.
If Frank Dobson really is committed to Labour's promise that access to the NHS must be based on need and not ability to pay, then let him make it clear that access for those who are in need must be funded by those who do have the ability to pay.
HUGH J THOMSON
Consultant surgeon
Birmingham
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments