The first report was a snapshot of the NHS and included a paragraph which read: "It was a highly ambitious plan to bring good healthcare to all, for free, funded completely from taxation." Well you have to ask, who paid the tax? But point taken.

The second report was in a letter which praised the prompt action of a GP to an acute problem, with a resultant operation in hospital and a good recovery.

To add to these reports, I myself witnessed recently the skill and deftness of two ambulance personnel who desperately tried to save the life of an pensioner, and today I had an appointment with a specialist nurse whose expertise and knowledge helps very many diabetic patients, like myself, at one surgery alone.

A few weeks ago the health secretary Alan Johnson put into place a "compassion index" for hospitals and one has only to look to the professionals mentioned here for that inspiration.

In recent years we have observed the conversation of the NHS into a market. In 2005 Patricia Hewitt, the then health secretary, outlined plans for a massive increase in private sector procurement, the reason given was to secure efficiency in the NHS by exposing it to competition. We then had targets and league tables. Unfortunately these management tools take away from professionals the duty to use independent judgment.

We also have an Extended Choice Network of independent providers, a first wave of Independent Sector Treatment centres, a Commercial Directorate, private consultancy and PFI funding for hospitals and new buildings. This when primary care trusts (PCTs) overtook the NHS budget, a choose and book system by computer was introduced – the list of which must include private provision of services, and independent funding was given to patients to acquire their own carers without regulation or monitoring.

And it then became clear that the Government's approval of 14 very large private corporations, English and American mainly, would be allowed to advise the PCTs on their commissioning of services etc. Add to this the possible City Care Centre in Peterborough, or maybe a polyclinic with a walk-in centre/A&E, children's service and respite possibly – the ownership of which I could not tell you. Now imagine the cost of all the consultancy, committees, sub-committees, room hire –you name it, this is indeed big business.

And this is just the tip of the iceberg.