We refer to your article, Speedier treatment for cataract patients (Oxford Mail, January 8).

You wrongly implied that hospital waiting times in Oxfordshire had fallen partly as a result of the introduction of a new mobile cataract treatment centre.

Waiting times for cataract operations have fallen, but this is because of the efforts of the hard-working doctors, nurses and support staff at the Oxford Eye Hospital, which has been providing excellent services from the Radcliffe Infirmary for many years.

While Oxfordshire Primary Care Trusts are planning the introduction of a cataract treatment centre, it is not yet operational.

The Oxford Eye Hospital provides not only a swift service for patients needing a cataract operation, but also leading-edge treatment and surgery for patients with less common and more complex conditions.

Our links with Oxford University and our track record in research help us make sure that we can always offer the most comprehensive and up-to-date treatments, and we can do this within a shortened waiting time.

Indeed, we have introduced a shorter waiting time well before the target date set by the Government.

While it is important that patients can choose where they are treated, we believe that our many years of experience count in our favour when patients are making that choice. SUSAN DOWNES, JOHN ELSTON, PEGGY FRITH, SUSAN HAGUE, CK PATEL, PAUL ROSEN, JOHN SALMON, REBECCA TURNER, Oxford Eye Hospital Senior Medical Staff, Radcliffe Infirmary, Woodstock Road, Oxford