long to believe in a New Year of openness in the administration of the NHS that proclaims the care, concern and well being of its patients, to be the highest priority.

However, on January 2 the Daily Mail revealed the most appalling and deeply distressing treatment towards Joseph Meiron Thomas, a top cancer surgeon at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, who dared to speak out and raise his concerns for which he was subject to a campaign of vilification, bullying and given a gagging order to demand silence and a cover up.

The following day an in-depth, double page spread in the Mail informed us of the terrifying treatment towards Professor Thomas.

The insulting attacks took a sinister turn and shocking bullying tactics prevailed, an organised attempt to have Professor Thomas struck off, for daring to “openly address the truth.”

Gagging orders had been abolished by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt to allow whistleblowers the right to speak freely and openly regarding the shortcomings and prime needs, or concerns appertaining to patient care, without the fear of denigration, humiliation, an orchestrated witch hunt, and/or being struck off.

The entire article was agonising to read, that this honourable surgeon was hounded and persecuted simply for speaking the truth regarding the failings in our National Health Service.

Unless honourable openness prevails, nothing will ever change in our precious island home to lift our current standard of care to the energising and stimulating power of tender loving care.

To Professor Thomas: May a happier New Year lie ahead and your honourable dedication be truly valued and highly respected.

Mary Ratcliffe Old Town, Swindon