I BELIEVE that someone should officially challenge that silly statement about the waterways saving the NHS money, writes *'Arnold'.
How does Canal & River Trust actually come by that figure of £1.1 billion it saves the NHS?
I am asking as I work in administration for the NHS as well as being a boater, and I can assure people that there are no official figures whatsoever showing that being by water saves the NHS money in any way whatsoever.
People drowning
The only records are of people drowning in the canals and rivers and these certainly do not save the NHS money, but cost it by attending with personnel, ambulances and more money still for those that are saved and the cost of treatment in hospital.
I remember it was your Victor Swift who pointed out that it is better to give odd numbers as they will be more believable, so that is likely why it has started doing so with such as £1.1 billion.
[*We have accepted 'Arnold' as being genuine by document, but he wishes not to have his name published for obvious reasons—Editor.]