Let’s have a public health service run by dedicated staff who don’t answer to outsiders

IN his letter on the health service (November 17), Dr Bill Tormey says arrogant managers should be put in their place and doctors should set the priorities.’

I don’t fully agree with this because, while “arrogant” types should be firmly dealt with, I know there are very good managers who care about patients as much as anyone else in the service, whether medical or non-medical.

Neither would I agree that doctors alone should set priorities — although they should have a major say. Those who should have no say in setting priorities are management people brought in from outside, especially from the worlds of industry, finance and non-medical academia whose prime function is to make cuts to save money.