SIR – A few lines to defend our NHS. I see private companies, including one in Droitwich, are now advertising what they claim are quicker operations.

Although they don’t say so, I suspect they may also use some NHS expertise.

I certainly know that if anything does go wrong, the NHS has to pick up the tab.

For example, their charges incude hip replacement, £7,200; knee replacement, £7,600; cataract, £1,600.

There is now very much a cherry-picking culture in the private medical industry.

Many or most of us can’t possibly afford such charges.

So all I can say is that thank goodness we do have an NHS, despite its faults.

LUKE ALBARIN
Worcester