Does the NHS need a complete overhaul?

NHS England Chief Executive Simon Stevens say the health service cannot cope with increasing costs. I have never seen so many empirebuilding managers. It’s time to weed out the ‘do nothing, get paid a lot’ administrators. There are a lot of ways to save money and improve the NHS: GPs prescribing cheaper generic drugs, people from abroad paying up front before any treatment is given; two shifts in operating theatres; an end to expensive, bought-in, ready-made hospital food; and a return to traditional nurse training instead of degrees. The NHS needs an urgent review of where money is being wasted.

G. McKIE, Warrington, Cheshire. i AM fed up with people constantly complaining about the NhS. Last week, my husband attended Lincoln County hospital with a skin condition and was seen by the consultant just a minute later than his scheduled appointment. he underwent a procedure and everything was dealt with in half an hour. All the staff were charming and he was so impressed with how well he was treated. two years ago, i had major surgery in Scunthorpe hospital. the surgeon was kind and attentive, the hospital was immaculate and the nursing staff excellent. All the patients in my ward were being intravenously fed and not able to get around. one quiet afternoon, the nursing assistants gave us all a spa treatment! As they washed and blow-dried our hair and moisturised our skin, they comforted us. the effect was amazing: we felt and looked human again. the NhS is a wonderful organisation that is doing such fantastic work and saving lives.

S. CARTER, Gainsborough, Lincs.