• YOU will have seen stories about how the NHS is in crisis, the winter bed situation, and now the resurfaced story of health tourism are the latest.

Well, all is not what it seems. For the last 30 years our health service has been quietly privatised. Half of hospital beds have been lost in that period. The Health & Social Care Act 2012 abolished the NHS as we knew it and took away government’s legal duty to provide health care for us all.

Since its creation private interests have tried to destroy the NHS. In the 1970s 4 per cent of money spent on the health service went to admin. Now, some believe, it’s now over 20 per cent.

Sustainability and Transformation Plans, a massive cuts programme, will result in services cuts and hospitals closing. We can stop STP but need to contact GPs, MPs and councillors now.

COLIN CRILLY
Address supplied