CONTRARY to what J Bearby says in his attack on immigrants (HAS, Jan 13), the fact is that many who keep our hospitals going, as doctors, nurses and in other roles, are immigrants. They contribute to our communities through their work, and pay their taxes. They have a perfect right to send their children to schools and hospitals here.

If there is “mayhem” in our NHS, it is surely more to do with winter illnesses, bed-blocking and drunks in A&E, rather than immigrants. Yet the likes of Mr Bearby, and national newspapers like the Daily Mail and other rags, always ocus on “foreigners” as the source of problems.

Well blaming foreigners and Europe certainly saves on thinking about complicated reality. It certainly distracts us from thinking about economic policies which support the wealthy.

Mr Bearby talks in an inflammatory way about Britain “being swamped’ by immigrants, talks of Britain needing a “clear out” (of immigrants). His words lack humanity, care and human understanding.

Immigrants are people like us, wishing for somewhere safe to live, somewhere they can work to earn a living and support their families.

Mr Bearby would do well to remember that.

Philip Nathan, Chester-le-Street.