Sir: I should like to answer the indictment about the
safety of the NHS temple shown on the cover (January 6). I do so as a close observer, married to one of the priests of medicine .concerned since the foundation stone was laid, and so living actually on its threshold for many years.
The temple of the NHS is certainly not collapsing, although a host of new worshippers, hitherto excommunicated, are lately overcrowding it. After each holy day there, is a queue to get inside the structure, which could certainly do with a rear extension, and quite a lot more well qualified priests to serve it, whatever may be their colour or linguistic difficulties. The remuneration for these, after recent increases, is generous enough, anyhow by present English standards. According to the Times of January 8 it averages £5,500 per annum for all the GPs of Britain, on a pro-capita basis. This appears adequate for wine and music as well as good living, and even a few statues!
There have, of course, always been cranky, stupid and overdemanding patients, but they are very few, and were born that way. There have always been medical priests who make the odd mistake of judgement through inexperience or overwork, long before immigrant doctors were needed here.
Our friends from America or Spain can tell us how comforting is the strength and shelter of the British edifice, and how in their own countries the sick who are not wealthy can be bankrupted, or suffer grave undertreatment if they are poor. To give one example among many, blood for transfusion is almost unobtainable in Spain, and if available at all is very dear to buy. Here it saves lives continually and costs nothing. Not only do the majority find the Temple safe — but quite a noble structure in comparison with any in other lands. Margery Dean The Old Rectory, Wivenhoe, Essex
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