In the recent NHS survey it was found that more than half of health service trusts are failing to provide good care.

About the same number also fabricated results for the audit.

We can thus safely say based on the facts that the health service is not safe in the hands of New Labour.

Clearly there are a considerable number of bureaucrats who need sacking right away, simply on grounds of honesty.

But in the longer term and putting aside the blatant incompetence of Blair and his friends there has to be doubt whether the 1940s model of health care is right for the 21st century.

One is led to the conclusion by repeated disaster stories in the health service, locally and nationally, it may well be that we should be looking at the example of some of our continental friends who provide as good or better care with insurance.

ANDREW MCLUSKEY Stanwell