IT is a sad indictment of the state of Britain's health service that patients should have to seek medical attention abroad.

Labour has tried to maintain that this policy is part of a coherent health package, but the reality is that the Government's hand has been forced.

In upholding the principle of freedom to provide services within the EU, the judgement of the European Court of Justice has rightly put the Government on the spot and brought the deficiencies of our NHS into sharp focus.

As citizens of the EU, and consumers in a single market, we all have the right to look abroad when our own health service leaves us waiting too long. Clearly, for most patients this is not an acceptable long-term solution.

There can be no doubt that our NHS needs prolonged funding for more doctors, nurses and other staff to give our citizens a level of health care similar to that available on the continent.

The evidence speaks for itself. Denmark, for example, spends 40 per cent more per head of population on its health service than the UK. Germany spends even more than that.

As a result, Denmark has a 90 percent public satisfaction rating, compared to 48 per cent here in Britain.

Diana Wallis MEP,

Land of Green Ginger,

Hull.

Updated: 11:18 Monday, September 03, 2001