Patricia: The hypocrisy of Tony Ehrenreich amazes me, "Unionist guilt about private hospital stay" (November 28).

So he "struggles not to feel a hypocrite" for being treated in a private hospital? Perhaps he would be good enough to let us know exactly how long he has been a member of a medical aid scheme, or did he seek membership knowing he had to undergo spinal surgery?

Those of us who pay dearly for this privilege are not among the "wealthy", but are too afraid not to have it, such is the deplorable state of public- sector healthcare. Does Ehrenreich really believe things will improve once these clinics are opened to the masses? Two in a bed, filth everywhere, uncaring staff, a lack of bed linen ... the list is endless. I'll wager special clinics will be made available to the honourable members of parliament for "security reasons". They certainly won't be sharing these public amenities with the rest of us. -