WHILE the Chancellor continues to pour billions into the NHS from increased National Insurance contributions, improvements, at best, are only marginal.

Perhaps the money is going on the ever increasing number of bureaucrats and red tape rather than patient care.

For example, Swindon's NHS Primary Care Trust has a 16-strong executive committee, six of which are paid more than £4,000 a month. according to the SPCT annual accounts. Contrast that with nurses' pay. The bureaucrats of the PCT also enjoy flexitime working, in-house child care and subsidised gym membership.

Meanwhile, there is still a shortage of beds in the Great Western Hospital and the North Kennet area PCT is trying to close a maternity unit in Devizes.

J E PLUMTREE

Wroughton