THERE has been a lot of discussion and certainly many differences of opinion re NHS patients going to private hospitals for urgent operations.

Why all the fuss? Until fairly recently the Bolton, Wigan and Leigh health authority sent hundreds of cases to private hospitals up to 35 miles away (transport provided) for eye surgery, with excellent results.

Sadly, this practice has now been temporarily suspended, inevitably extending the waiting time for those patients still requiring treatment.

Mr T Kay

Rossall Road,

Bolton