Thanks for the thanks

SIR – How refreshing to read Barbara Dowling’s letter (August 19) expressing her gratitude for the care of her daughter at a hospice.

For many years as a semi-rural GP, I was asked by the health authority to report annually on the number of complaints that our practice received.

I was never asked to reflect on the gratitude of patients and their families, accompanied by amazing financial generosity towards the development of our practice. We never had to resort to passing round the hat.

What has happened to the world that selfless gratitude is so overlooked? Richard Wells

Salisbury, Wiltshire