I WAS pleased that Health Secretary Alan Johnson and others have stated that no imposition of polyclinics, or the compulsory transfer of NHS assets, will be involved under Lord Darzi s plans. May I expect a refund of the value of the privatised elements (

I WAS pleased that Health Secretary Alan Johnson and others have stated that no imposition of polyclinics, or the compulsory transfer of NHS assets, will be involved under Lord Darzi's plans. May I expect a refund of the value of the privatised elements (I calculate 9/20ths of a pint) of my donation of 15 pints of blood to the NHS over the decade 1973-82?

Presumably an enhancement of the value would be required to recognise the fact that I, unlike some donors to the NHS-acquired blood bank, was never a drug addict, and the fact that 'private' hospitals and patients necessarily receive blood products on lower criteria of urgency than those demanded of NHS patients.

Would I be wrong to expect at least 26 years interest for the privatisation of my donation, especially as I made a request for the reservation of my donations for NHS patients in 1973?

When UCLH acquired the National Heart Hospital in 2001, it was reported that apart from acquiring 800 staff, the NHS ring-fenced 600 bed-days per annum for 'private' patients. I also recollect that in 2001 UCLH was given by the NHS, or enabled to acquire, the NHH at a bargain price. The acquisition of the NHH was to facilitate an increase in UCLH heart experts and increase its operational throughput in heart operations. In 2007 Louise Boden, nursing director, told a PEAT team that "no heart transplants" were taking place in the UCLH. Months later Peter Dixon, chairman, stated that "no heart operations" were taking place in UCLH.

Recently the Health Service Journal noted that by the end of its 32-year PFI contract, UCLH will have paid an aggregate of £1.3billion on assets of about £450million.

D SHEPHERD

Vivian Avenue, NW4