Cuts leave NHS looking sick

As doctors from all across the UKgatherin Belfast this week for the BMA’s annual representative meeting, this will be a welcome opportunity to reflectonthepressuresfacing the NHS.

WiththeNHSfacingfinancial uncertainty, it is clear that the government is in denial about the state of the crisis in our health service which has left mosthospitals in England in deficit.

Worryingly, a recent BMA public survey found that only a small minority (13 per cent) believe that the government is giving the NHS the funding it needs.

Across England cuts of £200 million to the public health budget have meant that services that people have growntorelyonsuchassexual health andsmokingcessation services are being cut or put under enormous pressure.

These are vital services within the community and cuts of this magnitude will inevitably have a detrimental impact on public health.

As our health service is forced to trade concerns for patient care for financial worries, it clear that the public is losing faith in the government’s empty promise to “cut the deficit, not the NHS”. The government need to step up and finally invest in the health service it promises - the one that our patients rightly deserve. Dr Mark Porter BMA Council Chair Stamford.

Now 76, I worked for them as a horticultural salesman, based at their Queen Street, Peterborough showroom, workshop and spares dept, from1966to1970, selling hundreds of mowers, cultivators and chainsaws, and meeting all kinds of people.

Would be interested as to what happened to the company, havingleftin1970, when sales were in decline.

Perhaps by chance someone remembers me and Norths, and perhaps still has a mower ticking away that I sold them.

Anyone i nterested and willing to contact me can do so, via my e-mail: hgreynomad@ googlemail.com, or by phone: 0782 3323175. The sales managerwasnamedSixsmith, and I had contact with the son of Mr North, and a Mr Alan, oneofthedirectors, who interviewedmeandemployed me. The secretary was named Dianna, and she was very feisty and attractive.

Thank you. Harry Brown