It’s unprofessional and unkind for NHS staff to mock patients as ‘toffs’

SIR – The comments made to Lady Elizabeth Barne (Letters, February 19), who is called a “toff ” when she attends hospital, are utterly unacceptable. They are unprofessional and insulting.

I frequently advise patients to complain about aspects of their NHS treatment because, if complaints are not made, nothing will change. Sadly, too few people do.

Staff are often unwilling to raise concerns about a colleague due to the lack of support available, as well as the vindictive behaviour of some supposedly professional groups who stick together and vilify the whistleblower. In Lady Elizabeth’s case, junior nurses and doctors are probably afraid to speak out. Senior doctors and managers may be unaware of the offending nurse’s behaviour; but the fact that she is a senior nurse means her comments are likely to set the tone for the whole department.

As Lady Elizabeth says, patients often fear that they may be treated even worse if they complain. But without a complaint, her nurse will continue to behave like this. Lady Elizabeth must bring the matter to the attention of the chief executive of the hospital. Dr Charles Essex

Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

SIR – Lady Elizabeth should not be expected to “stand up to” any bullying from a nurse (Letters, February 20).

It is disgraceful that she should have been spoken to in this way, especially while undergoing treatment.

Intergenerational and class conflict seems to be on the rise. When I was a senior nurse teacher, a qualified nurse referred to her 83-year-old neighbour as “a snob” because she employed a gardener to look after the small garden of her semi-detached home. Maureen Hamilton

Redcar, North Yorkshire

SIR – Coming from a family with ancient titles, I have found myself being baited on numerous occasions.

I fail to understand why it is seen as acceptable to bully someone on the basis of who they are. I would not dream of drawing attention to the social background of someone who had clearly grown up in less privileged circumstances. Jean M Stephenson

Solihull

SIR – Settling a bar tab recently, I was surprised to be presented with a slip of paper detailing my debt to the establishment titled “Posh Simon”. Simon Willoughby

Cranleigh, Surrey

SIR – My wife and I share the same name, though hers only has one l.

To differentiate between us, our friends refer to her as “Lady Hilary”. At my cousin’s rather upper-crust wedding, soon after a couple of them had asked after “Lady Hilary”, another guest began a conversation by addressed me as “my lord”.

Sadly my elevation was cut short by guffaws from those in the know, and I returned to being “Mr H”. Hillary Bagshaw

Portsmouth, Hampshire