I WAS slightly pleased that jail sentences of up to five years are to be introduced for NHS employees – and what about the private sector – deemed guilty of wilful neglect, albeit “in exceptional circumstances”.

Not all neglect is wilful, as opposed to apathetic, though by no means all cruelty on the part of physicians, nurses an so on neglectful.

I acknowledge that other criminal and disciplinary sanctions are already in place but against the extent and range of negligence and misconduct in the name of medicine, how often are they invoked?

As for the pitfalls of relevant civil litigation, few know about those better than I.

Besides, prevention is better than cure, although no overnight miracles are likely.

Anyway, the caveat that this latest legal measure could further deter whistle-blowers is noteworthy, which is precisely why it should also be an offence, though presumably a somewhat lesser one, to fail to report such obscenities, providing there would seem to be no danger – as opposed to inconvenience, however great – to the denouncers and those close to them, this being the harsh, lesser evil.

I was also rather glad to hear, not least because for once we can be sure they are telling the truth, that some senior police officers are finally admitting that crime figures are ‘massaged’ (ie fiddled) by the non-recording or under-recording of even serious offences.

Who knows? One day they may even confess to thuggery, perjury and the like.

DAVID DIMENT Riverside Court Oxford