AMONG other things, the commercialisation of the NHS by the Blair government has stepped up pressure on NHS Trusts to maximise their rent income.

According to a report in the Observer dozens of trusts, faced with deficits, are bringing in burger bars and cafes run by high street chains, to earn higher rents.

Burger King already has four outlets in hospitals across England, including Addenbrookes Hospital, in Cambridge, which treats thousands of heart patients each year.

Research has not yet been carried out to confirm what percentage of heart patients are treated as a result of Burger King's culinary efforts.

However, its presence in hospitals undoubtedly will assist in producing more patients.

This is obviously a good thing given Blair's reform which has meant that trusts have to compete with each other for patients.

Yes, trusts even advertise these days for sick people.

At Bedford Hospital, the WRVS has recently been told it will lose its shop in order to maximise its rental income.

The WRVS has lost other outlets this year. Voluntary organisations don't pay enough.

Addenbrookes Hospital has in its main concourse a Burger King, a Cafe Ritazza and an Upper Crust, all of them run on a franchise basis by Medirest which is part of the Compass food services group.

Medirest, which also runs catering, cleaning and portering services across the NHS, says it want to bring more vending machines into hospitals.

In the Great Western Hospital in Swindon we already know of the charging of sick people to watch TV and the high cost of people using the phone service.

I eagerly await a letter from Peter Brown explain the benefits of putting the likes of Burger King into hospitals.

M Wicks.

Secretary.

Swindon TUC.

Park North, Swindon