Letter: High street health scans are a nice little earner for GPs

Letter: The leader of Shropshire Council, Keith Barrow, tells us we only need hospitals for "accident and emergency and acute surgery" - is that the statement of somebody that is well informed? I don't think so.

He goes on to tell us he would like to use the American example of scans on the high street.

Today I spoke to an American doctor friend of mine and asked him the nature of such services; his answer was "nothing good for the patient, a good earner for physicians".

Too many people have unnecessary scans because advertising through the media causes them anxiety. These are not my observations, these are the observations of an American doctor. I suggest Mr Barrow thinks before he speaks.

The cold fact is that Mr Barrow is advocating a private health service, a health service based on what you can pay, and if you can pay then you will be expected to pay inflated prices when you step through the doors of Scan Savers or Scans 'R' Us.

If you can't pay? Do not worry, Mr Barrow cares about the people of Shropshire and you will have his sympathy. Reading his words angered me.

Kev Pardy

Sundorne