I have received a response to my letter about my concerns regarding Age UK (‘Assisting in the demise of our NHS’, Opinion, August 6). I would like to offer a short response given that the response from Age UK was itself short (‘Age UK does what is best for each person’, Opinion, August 20).

In my letter, I raised concerns over what Age UK was doing and the effect it will or could have on the NHS. In their response, Age UK stated: “Age UK Enfield and Age UK Hearing Aids always signposts people to NHS when appropriate”, and later “advising on all the choices available and making the patient aware of all their options”.

Quite frankly, given what the wrap around advert stated and more importantly what it did not mention at all, the NHS, I am astonished that someone can write like this.

The response is a bit of spin, seeking to show a bit of care. It would have been helpful in the response to say what the word ‘signposts’ means and then once given, what are they and when will it be appropriate? Where are the choices and why is the American-backed company UK Hearing Care Management Services Ltd not mentioned?

The response goes on to state that “the partnership between Age UK and UK Hearing Aids is a commercial one, which has been established to encourage older people to seek help with hearing problems, however, all profits are gift aided back to help fund our charitable activity”. I again ask some questions: what profits are gift aided? Is this the £350,000 aimed to be raised or is this something different? And why did Age UK not do the most logical and simple thing and advise the people of Enfield that they have a very good audiology department at their local hospital Chase Farm (now part of the Royal Free), which gives free impartial advice and where necessary supplies free hearing aids and gives an excellent back-up service?

Perhaps Age UK should put the concern back in their efforts.

Edward Ellis

Chase Road, Southgate