Letter: NHS rationing

Sir: Fran Abrams' article "Doctors who choose to reject the old" (17 December), told only half the story about institutionalised discrimination against the elderly in the NHS.

For decades there has been collusion between government and the medical profession in rationing care, while maintaining the NHS is the best in the world. Two groups have been particularly easy to deprive, the elderly and the socially disadvantaged. Until recently both groups were grateful for any health care they received and seemed to be unaware they were getting second best. What is geriatrics but a means for rationing care to the elderly?

I would welcome legislation that ended discrimination based on age, but ending ageist apartheid within the NHS would have major financial implications. To pass legislation without the financial wherewithal to implement it would be a cynical charade.

SIMON J ELLIS

Consultant Neurologist

Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire