Forms of address

SIR – When I was caring for patients in the NHS there were no problems regarding how to address people (Letters, February 15). My colleagues and I simply asked the person concerned something like: “Would you prefer ‘Mrs Smith’, or ‘Sarah’?”

If the person was unable to respond we asked relatives or close friends which address would be preferred. It was not unusual to discover that the preferred name was not necessarily one of their given names. This approach also prevented problems with those who were confused or disoriented, as they were much more likely to respond to their usual name.

Susan Salsbury

Plymouth, Devon