As a Brit who has lived in the USA for ten years now, I have to say that governments are virtually useless at running any kind of a business.

When, oh when, are the British people going to wake up to this fact, accept that the NHS will never work (however much money is spent on it) and realise that the only way forward is a private system of health care.

For all its defects, the USA stands head and shoulders over the UK in terms of medical care.

MC, FL, USA

M C, Chatham, NJ

My father contracted C diff 1 week after being admitted to Leeds General Infirmary, he died 5 weeks later. The ward he was on was filthy and was only cleaned once a week on a Monday morning. The bed rail was smeared with excretion and was never cleaned and it would not surprise me if it was still there for the next patient! How many other people will die in these circumstances until the government will sit up and listen? This has gone on for long enough.

Carol Brown, Leeds, UK

My wife died last year from an infected bedsore. The figures showing c.diff deaths of 6000 were the main item on the midday news,then it was revealed that Harry was in Iraq and was hardly mentioned again.

Bernard, Bristol, England

My wife has just undergone an operation in an NHS hospital. We are more concerned she may be infected by MRSA then the effects of the operation.

The ward does not appear to have been cleaned in the three days she has been their.

Where are the improvements politicians promised!

Mike, Gravesend, England

Take politics out of health and we might get somewhere.

Simon Marshland, Bath, Somerset

Put speedcameras up in hospitals the are bound to work and reduce the number of deaths.

Where is the health secretary? On holiday.

steve tea, manchester, cheshire