Treat NHS with respect

Sir, - The idea of a health service free at the point of use has helped to make and sustain the reputations of many public figures notably, of course, the NHS founder Aneurin Bevan as long ago as 1948.

I wonder what he would make of the recent statistics about the cost of missed operations due to people simply not turning up (April 29).

He might be appalled, too, to see the figures presented in almost every health centre up and down the country on the number who don’t present themselves for appointments.

NHS executives seem to be on the defensive about the matter, murmuring about better schemes to remind patients about dates and so on.

We could all help them by saying without reservation that the situation is unacceptable and an abuse of the principles on which the NHS was founded.

Although the health system in the United States is often rightly criticised for being at oncetoocostly and limiting access, it has one thing to be said for it. Most people treat it with respect because there is some link between the quality of the service and what you pay for it.

It can certainly dent the incomes of families on average wages and salaries, but the advantage is that people are less likely to treat it with disdain.

Most of our friends across the Atlantic would be astounded to read about the way we treat our health specialists by not even coming to appointments. Bob Taylor. 24 Shiel Court, Glenrothes.