Much prevarication about procrastination | Brief letters

NHS staff shortages | Channel 4’s new head | Word misuse | Science and engineers | Adnan KhashoggiSeveral people of my acquaintance have told me that they are seriously considering taking out private health cover, in order not to have long waits for diagnosis. Is it possible that the staff shortages in the Royal Berkshire, the Royal Surrey County hospital and Frimley Health (Report, 7 June) are a way of encouraging more of the prosperous to abandon the NHS?
Martin Cooper
Bromley, Kent&bull