MR BLOOM'S amazement and assumptions about my views of the NHS are quite amusing in their attempt to mislead your readers (Letters, April 24).

Nowhere in my letter did I indicate a preference for the American system of health provision. However I do think that we can, and must, learn much from our European neighbours about the way the service is both given and funded.

May I point our two things. Firstly, that the Labour Government has now had six years to prove that 'things can only get better'. All they've proved so far is that throwing money in the vague direction of a problem doesn't solve it.

Secondly, if the National Health Service is run so wonderfully, how come the rest of the world has studiously avoided copying it?

COUNCILLOR LEE SCOTT, Conservative parliamentary candidate, Ilford North.

April 30, 2003 10:00