My 73 year old father had a course of radiotherapy last year. This was shortly followed by removal of his cancerous lump. The lump was found to be free of cancer, completely zapped by the radiotheray. At no time was there any delay in his treatment and as a family we have nothing but good words to say about the NHS.

My point is that yes the NHS is not perfect. However, when do we hear positive stories about the NHS? Happy stories don't tend to make the news unfortunately.

And when will we as a society start appreciating what we have got in the UK, and that it far surpasses health care provision in the US for instance.

Deborah Towers-Best, Tallahassee, USA/Florida

Where has all the Billions of £s raised through Charity gone, Is there a hidden surplus in the Funds. We could do better,another area "not fit for purpose".

Sad Case, here/there, My/hopeless

The report shows that there are, "shows huge variations in the delivery of treatments around the country, with many “black holes” where services are extremely poor."

Comments thus far appear to prove that really is the case and that the National Health Service is NOT a National Health Service other than in the minds of politicians, that it has deteriorated into a complete postcode lottery system and that treatment and the provision of drugs and medicines depend entirely where you live with variations between regions and between England, Scotland and Wales. WHY?

That is pathetic and an indictment of policies relating to the provision of services, drugs and treatment in Britain.

Kenneth Armitage, Suffolk, England

My late wife, suddenly diagnosed with ovarian cancer, was kept in the wrong (gynae') ward for eight weeks while the disease developed. They did not ascertain she had salt deficiency, hence could not operate on first date set. She was sent home during this period twice, to deteriorate rapidly. None of this was helpful to the NHS or this lovely woman.

Admission to a proper cancer ward elsewhere and chemotherapy was beneficial but not permanent.

There is now a huge screening trial for Ovarian Cancer and it is supposed to be O.C. Awareness Month (or just passed).

Admission to a cancer ward (or not), or diagnosis of cancer, brings confusion and lack of information, until often it is too late to be assertive.

G, Notts.,

There are more important items on the government's agenda like £10,000 each for setting up a website. Get your priorities right!!!

shirley bowen, Blackpool,

I am a pateint at MRI - Manchester Royal Infirmry and the treatment there is absolutley brilliant!
However the local surrounding small hostpitals apear to suffer as a result and have a very poor reputation.
It must be difficult to have to work under the shadow of such a fine well run establishment as the MRI or is it a goal set at a level that others should try to atain?

Tony Hodgson, Bowdon Cheshire, England

Everybody is shouting that their needs are the greatest.
The NHS does not have endless supplies of money.
People who have contributed to the NHS by working should have priority care.
The NHS should stop treating NHS tourists.
People who move here should be told to get their own private health care. They have contributed nothing to the NHS.
Elderly people who have paid in to the NHS for years - they are being denied treatments which would improve their quality of life.

sue, southampton, uk

This is absolutely disgraceful . After all the money the taxpayer has thrown at the NHS since Nulab came to power what load of patronising drivel will Hewitt now come out with to excuse her blundering incompetence .

Murdo, Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Let me see, England imports 50% of its GP"s. Cannot even clean its wards/(how archaic). Has more paperwork than even here. Just try to think of ANYTHING the Government does that YOU could not run better.. Remember Governments measure process not results.. There are a lot of English Dr's here, not GP's.

Desmond Taylor, Houston, TX