THE Government’s Health and Social Care bill which is proving extremely controversial, opens the way for “fair competition” in the health care “market”.

By all means, strive for improvements in care and provision, but build on the established expertise and massive investment made by the previous government rather than change for change’s sake, or for ideological reasons.

There is no room for “competition” when dealing with a person’s life and no justification in dismantling a public service which has served the nation well since its foundation.

P Holmes, Barnard Castle.