AN ARTICLE in the Argus on December 16, 2017, informed us that Joseph’s Hospital, Newport, has seen a 52% increase in appointments since a relaunch in 2015.

47 new posts were also created, including appointments of more consultants and the creation of five apprenticeships.

The article gives no indication of where the consultants, or any staff came from, which organisations trained them or who will profit financially from the expansion of the care offered.

Is private health in the UK so advanced that the industry can now train its own?

Or like our politicians do the owners of private health care companies know that silence is the best strategy when dipping into the public purse, in this instance employing staff trained at the taxpayer’s expense. 

Peter Walters
Duffryn
Newport