Does it not occur to Lord Darzi that we have enough GPs' surgeries, excellent doctors, a fairly new super clinic in Falsgrave, a decent hospital on the outskirts of the town, and a two-year waiting list for an NHS dentist? Priority in the wrong place I would say.

It was suggested a budget of £1 million would be allocated. That must surely be blue sky thinking: any budget set for the NHS overruns by a factor of three, particularly if PFIs (Public Finance Initiative) are involved. Are the public aware that we pay twice for any involvement with PFIs? Our National Insurance contributions in the past paid for our hospitals, now the Government allocates a PFI to fund construction of a new hospital/school etc, to the detriment of the NHS or the education authority, which then has to repay that original cash loan to the company who initially were involved in the construction of that building. One of the main reasons why the NHS and education is strapped for cash.

If, on the other hand, Lord Darzi has access to a few million quid, then look to the East Coast towns.

Whitby, along with Bridling- ton, is in danger of losing NHS hospital facilities. As for FIley, say no more. Just do not break a leg in that town or your ambulance journey could take you to York or Hull or Birmingham. You never know.

Would it not be more appropriate to invest the money in an already available facility, upgrading the equipment, paying decent wages and attracting personnel into the area?

A more serious question is why the apparent need for this type of establishment? Is there some ulterior motive that our Government is not sharing with us the public? Could we be looking at the rundown of our hospitals so that in the foreseeable future we will be channelled into private insurance and hence private health?

I agree with Mr Goodwill a super clinic is not needed, but a few NHS dentists would be an advantage.

My doctors' surgery (Peas- holm) is, in essence, a mini-clinic with competent staff, a good rapport with its patients, and an understanding of the needs of its huge number of patients. Personally I would prefer my GP to an unknown quantity. What will happen to our clinic in Northway, would that disappear?

R Marshall

Elmville Avenue

Scarborough