MY heart goes out to former nurse Colette Mills, of Hutton Rudby, near Stokesley, North Yorkshire, who - like many women and a number of men - has experienced first-hand the trauma of breast cancer.

Out of her personal funds she is prepared to top up her existing treatment to enable her to live a longer and productive life but, oh no, the South Tees NHS Trust has informed her that she "can't do that" unless she foots the total cost of treatment as the trust does not wish to create a two-tier health system (Echo, Dec 17).

It appears this only applies to the sick, while consultants, doctors and nursing staff can work for both private sector and NHS patients.

I would not deny medical staff the opportunity to increase their income, but common sense suggests it should be a two-way arrangement.

Mrs Mills should not be denied the possibility to prolong her life because of some nincompoop administrator's plan as to how a hospital should be run.

If the trust is unable to fund the treatment it should welcome selffunding help and not find obstacles to prevent it taking place.

John Waiting, Guisborough.