THE advertisement in your paper, May 18 2012, by NHS Gloucestershire which invited people to express their wishes for future delivery of healthcare in Gloucestershire is exceedingly worrying. It is very important that people understand that they can keep the NHS in Gloucestershire by requesting that. Neither the Social Enterprise Trust that had been imposed, and has had to be reconsidered by NHS Gloucestershire, nor any other scheme are needed. Simply request that NHS Gloucestershire goes down the route of an NHS facility. There is no need for tendering and the possibilities that go with that of the EU imposing competition, and thus the destruction of our NHS.

Our NHS is now under a very grave threat with the recent passing of the Health Reform Bill into an Act, namely the Health and Social Care Act.

We have been assured that the NHS will be free at the point of delivery. But what will free at the point of delivery actually mean under an NHS fragmented by a Health Act which can open up our health services to tender by the private health industry? If privatisation occurs, our taxes will go to pay private companies, our money will be taken to pay shareholder dividends, management bonuses and large salaries and the profits may go off to tax havens.

We have been told we can get health insurance. What an odd idea to put to us if health provision will be free at the point of delivery. Why should there be a need for health insurance? That's what the NHS is, all people helping themselves and others by paying into a national health service to provide the security if a need occurs.

Please keep Gloucestershire's NHS in public hands. See website http://keepglosnhspublic.posterous.com/">http://keepglosnhspublic.posterous.com/ or telephone Dean 839441, Dean 840114, or 01452 760235.

– Martin Rudland, 118 Hight Street, Cinderford.