I read your front page article ("Exposed: full extent of the waiting times scandal", February 21) shortly after reading extensive reviews of the Francis report into the Mid-Staffordshire Hospitals failings ("Action in Scotland after care failings in England", The Herald, February 8).

I recognise Scottish health boards manipulating waiting list numbers when their politically driven targets were not being met is not good practice.

However, it should be emphasised that no patient suffered any actual harm as a result and those patients needing urgent treatment were dealt with promptly.

In Mid Staffs the administrative and financial targets were met and the managerial nirvana of foundation status achieved but over 1000 people died and many more suffered.

Alistair Gray,

Carrick House,

Station Road,

Balfron.