SIR – The Government’s plans to privatise and fragment our NHS are taking place in Shipley .

Local doctors are forming a Clinical Commission Group. They’re going to get new powers to decide what health services you and your neighbours are able to access and who provides them.

Whether it’s treatment for diabetes, skin conditions, a broken arm or depression, profit-hungry companies like Virgin Care and Serco are circling, ready to bid for contracts promising to slash costs.

The doctors will be under pressure from the Government to hand out contracts to private companies. That could put vital services at risk. But the last thing most doctors want is to carve up our NHS for private profits. Plus, the new CCG has a legal duty to listen to local people.

We’ve got a big chance to ask local doctors to use their powers to protect our NHS, not privatise it. Together we can make sure they hear from hundreds of local people as they make their crucial decisions.

What can you do? Sign up to the local petition at 38 degrees.org.uk.

Linda Arnold, Beech Street, Bingley