This problem with breast implants should be causing even greater concern than it already is.

The behaviour of many of the private health companies, both before and after the disclosure to the public of the inferior quality silicone implants, is illuminating as to how much the private health industry has the public's interest at heart. They do have to make money for their bosses and their shareholders. The even greater concern alluded to is that of privatisation. Are we sleepwalking to privatisation of the NHS under the guise of this reassuring sounding Health and Social Care (H&SC) Bill?

We all should be very worried by this reassuring sounding H&SC Bill that is now quietly working its way through the Lords.

Similarly here in Gloucestershire, are we quietly being led to privatisation of our county's health services?

The Lords debate is achieving a slight tinkering to the privatising effect of the Bill. But that is, as ever, trusting that the wording that comes out of the deliberations actually delivers what the Lords intend, without loopholes.

Here, Gloucestershire's powers-that-be aim for our health to be in the hands of a Social Enterprise Trust (SET).

Now that sounds a good thing. It sounds safe. It's not tinkering – no it's worse. Why?

After three years, possibly later but maybe sooner, contracts must be put out for tender by the private sector.

The Gloucestershire SET will have to compete with the financially well supported private health companies, eg Circle Health which has just won the contract for the NHS Hospital at Hinchingbrooke is supported by Hedge Funds.

The form on SETs versus the private sector is not good. The award winning Central Surrey Health SET, after four years as a SET has now, for the first time, had to compete. The contract was for £500 million of public money. Yes, the award winning SET lost the battle to a private company. Thin end of the wedge. The Hull SET went under even sooner, a matter of months and the private sector was getting its grasp on the money, our taxpayer's money, that previously could be used entirely in funding healthcare as none had to be siphoned off to pay big bonuses and shareholders.

The health care community is very worried. The British Medical Association, British Dental Association, Royal College of Midwives, the Royal College of GPs, and the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges are opposing or deeply critical of the Bill. They say that, from studying the Bill, the care you are entitled to may depend on how much you are able to pay. Companies and corporations will deliver our health care. Entitlement to long-term care and NHS dentistry has already been replaced by charges and private insurance. In future you may be required to pay for these services and to buy health insurance in order to cover the cost. Experience of small print and of occurrences both here and in the US should disabuse you of confidence in health insurance.

Doctors will not have the final say in your care. The Bill, if passed, will allow private companies to decide what care you are entitled to, where you receive it and whether you need to pay for it, or even whether you receive it at all. Now where do their priorities lie?

The most recent RCGP poll shows that, now, 98 per cent of GPs say withdraw the Bill. Remember the GPs were meant to be delivering this new healthcare system dreamt up by Lansley.

Please, please, take action, not just for yourself, but for your young ones and their young ones.

Look at these websites http://www.healthprofessionals4NHS.co.uk">www.healthprofessionals4NHS.co.uk, allysonpollock.co.uk and www. stroudagainstcuts.co.uk.

Here in Gloucestershire the 'Against the Cuts' groups have stopped the SET juggernaut in its tracks, for the moment, by taking it to a Judicial Review to be held in the High Court in London on February 8 and 9.

There is no need for our services to be taken out of the NHS. Our Gloucestershire healthcare can stay in an NHS operation. Keep your eyes open for more information in the Review.

Yours, deeply concerned for all our futures

– M.J.Rudland, High Street, Cinderford.