Dr Duncan Newton, the medical director at the Bradford Hospitals Foundation Trust, told the Downing Street summit on healthcare to follow its lead and ask patients to walk to the operating theatre to cut portering costs.

If York Hospital had a genius like this in charge, everything would be fine. It is surprising what you can get for a salary in excess of £100,000 a year.

B Emmerson,

Charles Street,

Selby.

Updated: 09:58 Monday, April 17, 2006