‘The Conservatives have been privatising the NHS by stealth’

• MANY thanks to Cllr Pat Callaghan, Tom Foot and the CNJ for shedding light on the United States health insurance group, supposedly taking over the GP services in our area, (The great GP surgery takeover, February 18 and What does an American company know about our communities’ needs, March 4).

Years ago I recall Sir Keir Starmer telling me the Conservatives have been privatising the NHS by stealth, giving seven-year contracts that cannot be revoked by the other party governing.

When my brother’s Camden Care was given to a private company around 2008 it all went downhill.

When I went to physiotherapy outside the hospital that was run by a private company for the NHS, it wasn’t worth my car fare.

Then I remember the army having to take over the Olympic Games security from G4S as – apart from being extremely expensive – they made a complete shambles of their responsibility.

Veolia, the private company cleaning the streets and taking our garbage away, isn’t nearly as effective, or as cheap, as the people we had before administrated by Camden Council.

Then some private train lines that need taxpayers’ help or perhaps nationalisation. Is there a message here?

I have experienced privatisation in the United States but there one can sue at a drop of a hat.

This keeps the companies and professionals on their toes about the services they are offering. Not so in Britain as it’s too expensive and complicated to sue.

So here these private companies don’t really have to be accountable. They are untouchable, ensconced in their long contracts; costing the taxpayers far more.

So why, since Margaret Thatcher, does the government insist on privatisation? I know that most government departments are ring-fenced – but am I losing the plot here?

The complete waste of money on construction, including HS2 Ltd, while the wonderful and unique NHS is teetering on the brink of annihilation, beats me!

And this all the while climate change trudges steadily on, oblivious to large financial salaries and bonuses to the privileged few.

PRIMAVERA BOMAN, NW1