Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust is grateful to the Times Group for giving us a chance to respond more fully to some of the issues raised relating to the care of elderly patients ('Does doctor's oath apply to the elderly?', March 1).

Staff at Barnet Hospital work very hard to ensure that all patients regardless of their age receive the best care they can provide.

Therefore it is extremely upsetting when their ability and commitment is called into question. Caring for elderly patients is not always cut and dry.

Every patient is different and difficult decisions sometimes have to be made.

But these decisions are always made with the patient's best interests at heart and in discussion with patients and their families.

This can sometimes present wider difficulties.

Patients do not always want the same things as their families and, in some cases, different members of a family do not agree about the best way forward.

While the family's wishes are taken into account, the patient's wish is paramount.

The trust does take the issues raised recently around elderly patients very seriously.

We are constantly striving to improve the care we give by working with the local community health council and by listening to patients and their families.

Elizabeth Heyer, Chief executive Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust