As good as her word

SIR – In May 1963, when I was a preregistration house surgeon at Middlesex Hospital, the consultant for whom I was working admitted into the ward where I had responsibility one Mary Wilson.

During her short stay I cared for her day by day and assisted at her minor operation. I met her husband, then leader of the Opposition, Harold Wilson, wearing a Gannex mac – but not smoking a pipe.

When the time came for her discharge she stated that if “they” were to win the general election she would invite me to visit No 10.

In October 1964, Harold Wilson did indeed win the election, with a slim majority of four seats. Six weeks later, to my absolute amazement, I received a handwritten letter from Mrs Wilson, inviting me to visit her in her “new home”.

This was an invitation I was thrilled to accept.

James P S Thomson FRCS

Holt, Norfolk