HEALTH Trusts are going to have to tackle serious problems if they are to ensure their long term sustainability.

The problems some trusts have now balancing their books (Echo, Oct 30) could be the tip of the iceberg.

The cost of keeping people healthy is likely to outstrip the country’s ability to finance the NHS.

This puts pressure on trusts to look for external sources of financing. This is where the Government’s agenda comes in.

We need a public discussion on the choices we want to be made.

I would like to see the NHS being totally funded by the taxpayer but this is not the model in other countries, some of which have spent a good deal more than we do on health services.

G Bulmer, Billingham.