NHS is over. We’d better get used to it

What felt like a very big chuck fell out of one of my molars. It certainly felt like an emergency inside my mouth but, after asking for an urgent appointment, my dentist’s receptionist had other ideas, offering me the first one available. In 10 days’ time.

They have already cut back their hours, opening later, shutting earlier. Covid, apparently.

Everyone is talking about not being able to see their GPs but it’s not just doctors – it’s everything, every service. The NHS, as we once knew it, is, I think, finished and the pandemic will be used as an excuse for every delay and failure for years to come. We need to start talking about a new way of doing things and quickly because the old way is not going to last for long.

S. Bell, Edinburgh

My leading man

I enjoyed your piece about Macbeth and am looking forward to seeing the new film, although I probably won’t make it to London to see the play.

It has always been my favourite Shakespeare play and I think that is because we had a terrific teacher who gave us it at school. He was really into it and enthusiastic and it really rubbed off on us. All the other Shakespeare we did with other teachers seemed a bit of a slog.

It still amazes me how things one good teacher says to you at school will stay with you forever.

Janice Sievewright, Kirckaldy

Greatest Bake Off?

Like your correspondent, I also enjoy The Great British Bake Off and, have to say, I think it is a far superior version to the one they did on the BBC. Matt Lucas and the chap from The Mighty Boosh are far funnier than the previous hosts and I’m afraid I never took to Mary Berry. I could do without the “Hollywood Handshake” though. It seems a little creepy to me.

Cybill Sheridan, Glasgow

The voice of golf

I was sad to hear the golf commentator Renton Laidlaw had died. His passion for the game was unmistakable and, for me, he was the voice of golf.

J. Barnard, North Berwick

At your service

I was interested in your old Sunday Post from last week on National Service. My husband was one of the last to be called up. He was born on September 29. If he had been born on October 1, he wouldn’t have had to go. We were married and expecting our first child when he was sent to Germany.

The first time he saw our daughter, she was five months old. I wrote to War Minister John Profumo complaining, and my husband was sent home. Profumo shortly after that lost his job. Mary Elford, Grimsby

A correction: Christopher Breward

In an Honest Truth article about his book The Suit: Form, Function And Style, last Sunday, we wrongly described Christopher Breward as Director of the National Galleries of Scotland. He, is in fact, Director of National Museums Scotland and we apologise for our mistake.