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NHS treatment centres will lead to duplication
• THE following might throw some light on the debate about the need for the treatment centres that Lord Darzi is so keen to set up all around the capital.
Three weeks ago I felt it was about time to do something about a bump on my little finger.
It was around noon when I rang my health centre, James Wigg.
The receptionist asked if I could come round to be seen at 6.30pm the same day.
The GP said the bump was a cyst that could be removed and asked if I would like to be referred to University College Hospital or the Royal Free. I chose the former.
Four days later I received a letter from UCH offering me an appointment in a week’s time to see a consultant at 9.20am.
I turned up at 9.15am and was seen at 9.22am. The consultant sent me downstairs for an X-ray. I was back in her consulting room before 10am. We looked at the results, already on the hospital’s network, and agreed that a request for a procedure for a removal should be initiated.
Four days later I picked up a phone message to ring UCH day surgery appointments to arrange a time to have the cyst removed. A date a fortnight hence was offered and accepted.
I cannot see how the above could sensibly be bettered, yet the government seems intent on spending millions to set up a number of treatment centres to duplicate what is already there and working very well. Why? As a taxpayer I feel entitled to an answer. As a voter I know what my response will be.
PETER LYONS
Profit or loss
• AS if we are not already sufficiently demoralised by the mishandling of the economy by national and local officials and representatives, NHS London has now decided to hand over yet another £144million to a private firm. If we want public services we must pay for them (or not). They can never turn a profit and it’s stupid to pretend they can.
Martin Kennedy, W1
Hartland Road, NW1
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