SIR - From 1948, as well as providing free universal access to primary health care, the NHS promoted good public health. It was seen as not enough to treat illnesses and medical problems but also sensible and beneficial to highlight what could lead people to enjoy better health. And so, a wide range of services were set up to support this idea.

However, from 2013, due to austerity, provision for many of these was taken away from the NHS by central government and transferred to local authorities. And, as these have seen their budgets systematically cut, this has led to public health now being under threat. Eg, now we are in the midst of a childhood obesity epidemic, with cuts to school nurses. Cuts to sexual health services have taken their toll, with June figures showing syphilis up to 1949 levels. Health visiting has been affected with numbers of health visitors reduced and work delegated to others, with less specialist training.

But, all of this amounts to a false economy as it will be much more costly eventually when greater numbers later turn to the NHS.

David Hornsby, West View Avenue, Wrose