The same concern was also voiced in a speech in Parliament by Shailesh vara MP.

The fears expressed were with regard to the polyclinic/city care centre to be situated at the district hospital site, in which it is proposed a number of GP-type services will be in position there, with the possible resultant loss of local GP practices.

The report begs the question that surely our MPs and council members are aware that changes brought about to our NHS have created a mixed health economy, with a healthcare market which collaborates closely with private sector providers, this, in turn, resulting in private companies now at the centre of healthcare policy.

Therefore, further questions need to be asked about the polyclinic development by the city council, and the answers relayed to the public here.

Could I make a suggestion as to the information we need to know:

1. Who will actually own this clinic?

2. Will the staff be seconded and managed by a private company, or be encouraged to become a not-for-profit social enterprise, or remain NHS staff?

3. What is the estimated date for the closure of Peterborough District Hospital?

4. In the case of a medical/surgical/minor injury, how soon will the public be aware of where to attend, be it either Accident and emergency at Edith cavell or minor ailments at the district hospital site?

5. We are told it will soon be in order to change, online, from your present GP to a preferred other. Should the preferred other be over-subscribed, and you have opted out of your previous GP's care, will you automatically be put on a register of any GP at this new polyclinic?

Any information gained will be of benefit to public, and I should think, staff alike.

MARY COOKE
Peterborough Pensioners Association,
Wingfield,
Orton Goldhay,
Peterborough

A wire-ly way from wartime to keep diesel siphoners at bay
With regard to the report on diesel theft (Evening Telegraph, page seven, Monday, September 1).

Do you know, there is such an easy way to prevent this type of theft from happening?

During the war, when petrol and diesel were rationed, and in very short supply we stopped thieves siphoning fuel from vehicle tanks by rolling up a ball of wire and pushing it some way down the tank's filler tube, thus preventing a siphon being pushed down into the tank, without interfering with filling operations.

With today's fuel prices, what goes around comes around.
Ron Ward
St Paul's Road,
Peterborough

Take away villlage's unnecessary trade
RE: takeaway plan for Canterbury Road, ET, August 21.

I wonder what planet Mr Phil Branston is on, regarding his comments in the ET?

How many "takeaways" does he expect to find in a small village?

We have four, which is four too many.

Perhaps he would like to explain his stupid comment to the 300-odd residents who say enough is enough.
MRS A ADAMS
Lichfield Avenue,
Werrington,
Peterborough