SIR - Happy birthday to the NHS - 70 years young! As Aneurin Bevan once said, it was "the most socialist thing the 1945 Labour Government did" and, despite problems and obstacles, has thankfully overcome them to survive and be passed through the generations.

Mr Bevan also said, there would "be an NHS as long as there were people prepared to fight for it." This is important, as we must not forget there are still those who would prefer there not to be a public health service where all British citizens receive the same level of treatment and care, regardless of ability to pay.

We who have benefitted from the NHS over our lifetimes must always stand up to all those of this mindset. Crucially, we need to make sure there is a public NHS worthy of the name, to pass on to the generations of the future.

David Hornsby, West View Avenue, Wrose