I refer to the article 'Downing street 'rescues' wife of Lee Kuan Yew' (November 4).
While I was sorry to hear that Mr Lee's wife had suffered a stroke - I hope she is making a good recovery - I was very saddened to hear that this man was disappointed with the National Health Service in the United Kingdom.
As an ex-nurse who worked in the UK health service for 20 years until last year, I really must defend our 'free' system.
Mr Lee's system of co-paying sounds okay, but what if you cannot pay? Are you denied treatment as you are in the United States?
The problems in the National Health Service are being addressed by the British government and I know times are difficult, but I also know many brilliant nurses and doctors who work long hours, doing extra clinics in the evenings after a full day's work to try to cope with the ever-increasing numbers of patients, whom, I may add, have paid into the system all their working lives and are not just visitors to our country. (One physician I will cite as an example is Dr Chandu Bardhan, who has dedicated his life's work to clinical research in Rotherham and has put all his earnings back into supporting doctorate students and further research and scientific work.)
I know that a stroke is a serious condition, but I am sure that this lady would have been assessed fully and treated accordingly. For Mr Lee to then fly his wife back to Singapore against medical advice was sheer foolishness and dangerous.