• SHIRLEY Franklin and her Defend the Whittington Hospital Coalition colleagues should try to get their facts right, (We are proud of our campaigning role to defend the hospital, August 30).

Firstly, regarding their unsubtle attempt to rubbish (by their lights) the messenger rather than the message, I retired from clinical practice nearly 20 years ago.

Secondly, with regard to their myth-making about how they saved the Whittington in 2010, many of us are on record as vigorously opposing the ill-considered plans for closures by NHS North Central London.

The then Labour health secretary Andy Burnham’s U-turn was due to the upcoming general election of that year. Politicians know there are not too many votes to be won in cutting hospital services.

DR BARRY HOFFBRAND
Cholmeley Park, N6