The Observer newspaper (December 2) reported that £267 billion less has been spent on the NHS than the European average since 1972.

Today's Government has provided us with an opportunity to get the National Health Service right.

Let's not fail, let's take up the challenge, let's manage the needed changes in a positive way, identifying the risks, costs and gains that can be made.

Let's set targets and standards, let's weed out bad practice, inefficiency and those who are unable to perform to the exacting standards that are required from management, staff, contractors and all.

It may have to come to taxation to fund the massive investments needed to catch up. That's if we all realise that one day you and yours will need some kind of medical care.

It is a choice between a public-funded, quality NHS performing better than all or a private fee-paying service that is in effect a tax on ourselves.

Remember costs rise proportionately and steeply with age (just when we need it most!).

It seems to me that New Labour has identified the Improvement Strategy and given us the way forward.

Well done Labour. Let's make it work.

David Bradbury,

Broom House,

Husthwaite,

York.

Updated: 10:51 Monday, December 10, 2001