French doctor: I'd refuse UK op

A doctor at the first French hospital to treat NHS patients has said he would not want to have an operation in a British hospital.

Dr Jean-'ric Vigier is a highly-respected paediatrician and hipreplacement specialist at the Polyclinique de La Louviere in Lille, where 10 patients for cataract and orthopaedic surgery will be sent under a Gover nment pilot scheme to cut waiting times.

He said: "I do not have much experience of NHS hospitals, but I know there are serious delays in treating people. Personally I would never want to have an operation in an English hospital. I have a great deal of respect for your doctors, they are extremely competent. But the system seems to be failing and it is good that your Government has decided to try something new."

"It is quite simple for us to take on the extra patients. Once we have organised the first set of operations I think it should be very straightforward to keep it going."

Dr Vigier added: "In many areas we have spare capacity and it seems right that we should take advantage of that to help English patients who have been waiting months or even years for an operation."