Letters

I was concerned to read the report of a lecture entitled 'Women and the NHS' which I gave at Westminster University ('Women quitting unequal NHS', news, page 10, 15 March).

I was reflecting on my personal experience as a former NHS manager and user of services. I made it clear to the audience that, as deputy health service ombudsman, I could not and would not comment on such matters. Without quoting the context I described, the story may leave readers with the impression that I was speaking, and very critically, of the NHS as it is today. In fact I was not.

Casting doubt on the Department of Health's work on equality and diversity in this way would have been discourteous, and counter-productive.

Hilary Scott Deputy health service ombudsman London SW1