Are chiefs trying to destroy NHS?

As an ordinary citizen, I cannot understand the history of the NHS. Clement Attlee introduced Universal National Health Care in 1948 on the highest ethical principles, and a huge number of practical, cooperative advantages of directing money to the most sick.

Before that money had been wasted in wrong, conflicting directions at the earliest time of diagnosis, when treatment and surgery are most efficient. We should all agree about that now.

For reasons beyond my comprehension, the senior executives who run the NHS, far above consultants and surgeons who have my complete trust, have always had a policy to cut the number of wards, and particularly beds, every year, in order to use trolleys instead.

And when the places where a human can lie in a horizontal position are all occupied, the hospital cannot accept another patient.

For what possible reason would any citizen think this was an acceptable plan?

I remember, long ago, talk of mothballed wards, kept at minimum cost, to be available if there was a train wreck or a sudden flu outbreak, as cheap “spare capacity”.

I did understand the need for the concentration of complicated medical techniques in huge, central hospitals.

But, while I applauded that, I deeply regretted the closure of convalescent and cottage hospitals, which are the perfect place to accommodate elderly, recuperating patients, who are now ‘bedblocking’ the hugely expensive facilities which have just been extended.

The executives created huge problems.

Their policy has now led to ambulances being used as beds. Who has been selecting these executives for 50 years? Is it possible that their plan is to destroy the NHS? It seems the only apparent explanation. CN Westerman Brynna