I READ the Gazette article regarding operations being axed by the NHS.

I would like to add the PCT is not telling the public the whole truth. I think somebody has to stand up and tell people what is going on.

For the last three years, South West Essex PCT was well funded by the NHS – there was plenty of time for senior managers to plan expenditure for 2009/2010.

It now looks like they have suddenly discovered they have overspent by £60million, making this the worse case in the country – other PCTs have only overspent by £2-3million.

Due to this huge amount, the same people are trying various schemes to balance the books – this will result in unneccesary problems for patients.

Hospital referrals are being scrutinised by a private company – therefore even if a GP wants his patient to be referred, it can be stopped by a private company.

Their plan is to delay operations, treatment, admissions and out-patient appointments, causing inconvenience for patients.

GPs do not send patients to hospital without reason – it is usually for a second opinion, further investigation, diagnosis and treatment or at the patient’s request.

I do not think the PCT will save a lot of money by delaying tactics. The senior managers and board members who were responsible for the overspend and mismanagement are still in post.

They should try to find out who is responsible for this mess and find a solution, rather than leaving patients to pay the price for their mistakes.

Maybe the answer to the present financial situation is resignation by those responsible to make way for fresh people, who can look into why the money was overspent in the first place. Patients should not have to suffer. – DR A J PATTARA, The Surgery, High Road, Horndon-on-the-Hill.