Morning Extra - 02/07/2008

Should going private deny you free NHS treatment? The chairman of the British Medical Association in Scotland says it's inhumane to deny patients free treatment because they choose to pay for drugs not available on the NHS. So-called "co-payments" aren't allowed within the NHS in Scotland, meaning those who want to pay privately for a drug also have to pay for other elements of care, such as scans and blood tests. Is it really fair that you should be penalised for "topping-up" your contribution to the NHS? Plus: Do we send too many people to prison? An independent review of criminal justice policy has suggested that Scotland's prison population be almost halved. The Scottish Prisons Commission, headed by former Labour first minister Henry McLeish, says prisons are increasingly used for those who're "troubled and troubling rather than dangerous". It recommends community sentences instead of short-term jail sentences. Is this soft justice, or more effective rehabilitation? Graham Stewart takes your calls, texts and emails.