You reported the good news about Dame Rennie Fritchie's appointment as commissioner for public appointments and the not-so-good news about Guy's overspend (news focus, page 14, and news, page 2, 4 March).

Each story included references to the early 1990s which need comment. First, Dame Rennie was not the sole female regional chair policy board member in the early 1990s.

I had the privilege of working from 1989 to 1992 with Julia Cumberlege when she was chair of South West Thames regional health authority and a policy board member.

Your Guy's story refers to lack of control of the project between 1986 and 1994 and incompetence by South Thames RHA. In fact, South Thames has only existed since April 1994, following a merger with South East and South West Thames RHAs.

CJ Spry

Chief Executive

Greater Glasgow health board

Regional general manager, South West Thames RHA 1989-94

Regional director, South Thames 1994-96