Letters: Utter dismay at this grave mistake

I have been Mr Hebblethwaite's secretary at the Friarage for the last three years and during this time I know how much he has put himself out for his patients to give them the best possible care and attention. He is, without exception, an excellent doctor and surgeon. I also know how many of his patients have contacted me to offer him their support. I can assure your readers that the "anonymous" lady involved is far from being vulnerable and susceptible!

One can't help but wonder whether the trust would, in fact, have taken this harsh decision about Mr Hebblethwaite had it not been for the recent bad publicity it has been receiving on the Richard Neale fiasco.

JUDY GILL

Medical secretary,

Friarage hospital,

Northallerton.

Sir, - I read with great interest the letter in your column last week from Mr Allerton, a colleague of Mr Hebblethwaite at the Friarage hospital, and I must say his letter echoed my sentiments entirely.

I have been a patient of Mr Hebblethwaite for almost seven years and a I cannot stress enough how kind and caring he has been to me over this time.

My small voice may not be heard by the powers that be, but for our hospital patients to lose the expertise of this doctor is a tragedy.

MRS JOAN JOHNSTON

Ingramgate,

Thirsk.

Sir, - Following the two excellent letter (D&S, October 13) regarding Mr N Hebblethwaite. I too feel that he has been unfairly dismissed.

As a cancer patient, I have known Mr Hebblethwaite for over 4 years. He is a dedicated and caring surgeon and I for one would not be here today without his skill and attention.

I feel that he should now be allowed to return to his chosen profession to give hope and support to other sufferers.

So come on, ladies, if you have come to be thankful to Mr Hebblethwaite please put pen to paper and let the hospital know.

MRS M E STODEBRIDGE

Queens Road,

Richmond.

Sir, - K M D Coltman (D&S, October 13) expressed dismay at the dismissal of Mr Neil Hebblethwaite from the Friarage hospital. I, too, have been one of his patients and also found him to be a skilled and considerate surgeon. I am very disturbed that the accusation by one person (who manages to remain anonymous!) can instigate his dismissal, when there must be many patients, like myself, who can find no cause for complaint.

G CURSON

Hyde House,

Borrowby.

The real victim?

Sir, - In view of the depth of feeling that recent events at the Friarage hospital, Northallerton have aroused, I feel compelled to take issue with Kerry Allerton, consultant orthopaedic surgeon (D&S, October 13).

I can empathise wholeheartedly with his support for one of his colleagues, indeed my own view of Mr Hebblethwaite, is that of a very compassionate and caring man. However, I feel Mr Allerton does himself and his profession a disservice by his vilification of the person who may be the real victim of the whole episode.

Those in positions of power must respect the responsibility this entails, otherwise the professional codes and ethics that they surround themselves with are meaningless. Whatever the true picture is, will, come out through due process, not tabloid-style rantings. His imaginative description of the "lady patient" was quite sad.

However, I do agree with Kerry Allerton that Mr Hebblethwaite deserves our support, but this is not done through him sticking his scalpel in "the Female Involved".

J DOBSON

Station Road,

Brompton on Swale.

Missing buses

Sir, - As ward member for Hipswell parish, I am concerned about the 35 bus route through Hipswell.

During the last three months I have been in correspondence with Arriva North-East over the sporadic non-running of this service. If there are any problems, they always seem to be at the weekend and as half the population of Hipswell are either elderly or have no transport of their own they cannot get their weekend shopping. Conveniently, there is nobody in charge of bus routes over the weekend so complaints have to wait until Monday morning which is no use to those who need the service.

The reply to our complaints are apologies and complimentary bus tickets, but the situation still goes on. There is no other bus service through our village which residents can use as back-up.

The elderly are having to combat steep hills to catch other services running through the Garrison, or use taxis which many people can ill afford, missing appointments for which they are penalised. In addition, buses do not always stop for elderly residents.

All the residents of Hipswell ask is a reliable bus service. The government wants us to use public transport more, what a joke!

COUN A BAGLEY

12 Wandesford Grove,

Hipswell.

Editor's Note: Because of the volume of letters on the Hebblethwaite issue, some letters on other topics have had to be held over this week