11 SEPTEMBER 1993, Page 24

False economy

Sir: Dr Dalrymple's proposal (Deserving and undeserving suicides', 28 August) that patients should pay for their own treatment would only make matters far worse. Far from it discouraging people to attempt sui- cide, those who have already attempted it and are then faced with a £500 bill could well try again. Many victims' problems are financial ones. In fact, for many, worries about money could have caused them to take the overdose in the first place. The only result of charging patients would be a spiralling effect that would cost the NHS millions and lose even more lives.

Andrew Thomas

36 Park Lane, Reigate, Surrey