NO wonder the National Health Service is falling apart at the seams as it's been under-funded for too long, with too many hospitals being closed, not enough nurses or doctors, and patients left on trolleys.

In Germany, the health service was over-funded, with no waiting lists and everyone being cared for. So why don't we do the same?

Use the lottery money instead of giving to the arts and unimportant schemes. Health should come first.

Recent reports about old folk being neglected in hospitals make my blood boil. Why should the elderly be left to fend for themselves?

Doctors are not able to do enough due to the pressures on them - they haven't the time.

The Government wants more of the elderly to be cared for in their own homes, but how can they when there are cuts in home helps and carers and using private health care agencies is too expensive?

BRIAN WATSON, Rosehill Road, Burnley.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.