SIR – On the subject of millions being owed to the NHS by visitors form abroad for unpaid medical treatment. Surely the Government is at fault here.

When visiting a country abroad, one has to have insurance to cover unforeseen medical costs. We are not treated for free. Every country should make it compulsory to have some kind of medical insurance, it’s common sense.

Other countries do not just write off the debt. They make sure that their medical bills are paid up one way or another.

We must be the only country that is known as a ‘soft touch’. Our NHS is a great British heritage and does an invaluable service. This debt is a huge strain on its already limited funding. The Government seriously needs to do as other countries do and toughen up.

S Higgins, Calverley Avenue, Bradford