I wish the new charity for Chase Farm Hospital well (‘New hospital charity aims to improve service’, Enfield Independent, June 3). The aim to add value and improve the experience of being in hospital is excellent, but I must challenge the statement that this will “give them [the patients] something they have never had”.

Over many years, the League of Hospital Friends based at Chase Farm has raised funds – up to £400,000 a year – to provide equipment and services, including the refurbishment of operating theatres. For individual patients, nearly three thousand care packs of toiletries have been donated by the Mothers’ Union in Clay Hill. These have been paid for by the League of Friends, the Co-operative Community Fund and members of the Mothers’ Union.

In working to improve the experience of patients, please do not belittle the achievements of volunteers who have previously done that, and are still doing so.

Valerie Budd

The Drive, Enfield