I am not sure how Nick Blakey thinks the NHS is currently funded (Letters, 7 December). The whole point is that we all pay through general taxation for the government to provide a health service that is fit for purpose. The taxation system also ensures that we pay according to our means. We thereby provide a collective pot of money from which we can all take according to our needs. While clearly this has a socialist outlook, in my view it is the basic system of a well organised and caring society. The French system described by Nick is a benefit only to those who can afford to pay to visit the GP and who can afford to take out the necessary insurance. What about those who cannot afford to do so?
Starving the NHS of vital funds is clearly having the effect desired by the government. The plan is to run the system down to a point where it is regularly failing, thus driving people to go private, then blame everyone else and push to introduce a fully private health system to replace the “failed” public model. Surely everyone can see the writing on the wall?
Philip Collier
Bolton, Greater Manchester
