Main Ward, London Hospital-Annexe, Ongar Road, Brentwood, Essex. SIR,—The article
by your medical-correspondent draws attention to but one of several aspects of the National Health Service which are causing a considerable amount of disquiet in the minds of those who view the service from the inside. The crux of_the matter is really one of Priorities. Can we, in the present financial condition of the country, really afford a complete and unlimited Health Service, or should we not all realise (as some already do) that a complete service, which includes the supply of free spectacles, dentures,. wigs, etc., is beyond our means, and concen- trate on the essentials which are necessary to care for the health of the people. We hear much talk of priorities with respect to the spending power of the country as a whole. I submit, Sir, that in view of the ceiling now imposed on their expenditure, the Minister of Health and his advisers would do. well to give serious consideration to the question of priorities within the Health Service, and devote their attention and the available money to those which are of prime importance to the health of the nation. Among these the requirements for combating tuberculosis in this country would rank very high.—Yours faithfully,
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