DOCTORS (and police, lawyers, and so on) taking industrial action shows how incompetent and arrogant the current Government is.

I would agree with Tim Siret’s letters. On June 29, you printed his latest, which stated the obvious: we all need to do what we can to “save the NHS”.

Like all privatisations, it has been designed to allow asset-stripping by the likes of Sir Richard Branson.

However, if we simplistically try to save some public services at the expense of others, or uncritically support the ‘anti-cuts alliance’, we’re playing into their hands.

The British Medical Association has agreed to work with similar organisations, including trade unions, to resist reforms and protect pensions.

The vast majority of doctors (and all health professionals) are against the so-called reforms, but many aren’t sure how to resist, or have been misled into thinking there’s no point.

As Tim Siret suggests, the BMA has unfortunately decided not to get involved with clinical commissioning groups.

This would be suicidal – the Government is drastically destabilising the English health service, in order to destroy it.

There have always been cuts in the health service, but there’s almost bound to be more care scandals and financial bankruptcies, particularly in London.

You cannot provide a public service if your priority is financial.

The NHS will be 65, next year which was the age when most working people were able to retire on their deferred wages.

The retirement age should be equalised at 60 and provide a living wage. If the NHS is to survive in England, people as a whole who are now aware of the danger should work with the unions or Bevan’s “the NHS will survive as long as people believe in it” will not longer be true.

ANDY GIBBONS Weyland Road Oxford