WHAT John Cumberland (HAS, July 29) encountered at his local vet is simply a foretaste of the future when the NHS is fully privatised.

It will start with small charges, for GP appointments and some routine treatments, until in the end – much as in dentistry – you’ll need a second mortgage for major procedures.

Those of us old enough to remember the early days of the NHS have seen dentistry privatised in all but name.

The final death knell for free essential treatment on the NHS will sound with the involvement of the insurance and finance houses.

Sadly, the same thing has already happened in the sphere of veterinary treatment. The practitioners feel that they can charge what they like because insurance will cover the cost and insurers can increase their premiums to match.

I’ve had my life saved twice by the NHS but I appreciate that there is not a bottomless pit of money.

We could start by being more rigorous in collecting tax from those who seek to avoid their social responsibilities.

Other than that a small rise in income tax or a predetermined NHS contribution would suffice.

VJ Connor, Bishop Auckland.