Hospital hierarchy

SIR – The recent correspondence spawned by Dr William T Easson’s letter (November 16) about the role of consultants in the running of NHS hospitals appears to contain an omission.

Dr Easson will remember that, when we were both house officers, there was a hospital medical superintendent who had absolute authority over every aspect of the hospital. The matron was his subordinate helpmate and the administrator, where there was one, worked at his side.

In any future reorganisation of NHS hospitals, maybe the role of the superintendent should be revived. Dr Nigel Mckie

Helston, Cornwall

SIR – Andrew Robinson (Letters, November 18) is lucky that he can get a telephone consultation with a GP.

On Tuesday I was second to be answered in the 8am queue, only to be told that there were no GP appointments of any sort left. I was offered an appointment with an advanced nurse practitioner. As a retired consultant physician, I knew that she could not resolve my problem. After bamboozling the receptionist with some entirely genuine medical terminology, I was told that the on-call doctor would phone me back. No one did.

The next morning I was first in the queue and obtained the same response. However, on this occasion the on-call doctor did phone back and I learnt that there would be a ninemonth wait to see the relevant specialist on the NHS. I am one of the lucky ones. I knew a way to get past the receptionist and I can also afford a private consultation.

Dr Henry Connor

Hereford