Pnvate beds
Sir: I think that the central issue in the National Health Service controversy is one of 'human nature'.
By this I mean that we must retain 'the system' in something like its present form: i.e. (1) Doctors allowed only 2/11 of their time for 'private' work, (2) About 1 per cent of all hospital beds being permitted for use as 'private' beds.
I think this system should remain because nearly all of us as human beings are by nature self-seeking. This means that we wish to have the opportunity and incentive to achieve 'extra'. (This is often apparent in cash terms.) By this I mean we get more money for doing 'special' or 'extra' work. This may or may not be good or 'right. I think it is natural.
If the system changes I think that a good many doctors of great energy, enthusiasm, vitality, imagination and common sense will either opt out of the NHS or go abroad. Both results would be a crippling blow for our community.
R. Pelly
4 kith Croft, EtWell, Derby
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