SIR – Bradford became a leader in the treatment of burns after the 1985 fire. And another health revolution was also quietly happening in our district at that time.

As the chairman of the Public Health committee, council officers alerted me to an alarming increase in HIV amongst drug injectors in Edinburgh due to the sharing of needles and syringes.

We had to stop a similar pool of infection becoming established in Bradford, infecting sexual partners and maybe leading to an incurable AIDS epidemic.

Existing needle exchange schemes, to swap used “works” for new, were failing because they required users to register. Ours had to be an anonymous “drop in” service, the first of its kind in the UK, but the concept was highly contentious.

My role was to gain the co-operation of all the agencies in Bradford. Representatives met in a “war cabinet” in the boardroom of Britannia House to plan our campaign. The T&A helped with articles spelling out the need for the service.

HIV infection was minimised. The scheme still operates and has been copied worldwide. This quiet revolution many saved lives and prevented huge costs to the NHS. Another example of Bradford’s pioneering spirit.

Bob Cannell (former councillor), Heaton Grove, Bradford