I feel I must make this plea on behalf of the elderly. On Saturday, April 24, I was admitted to accident and emergency at roughly 3pm as my bladder wasn't functioning.

I was treated with the greatest respect by all doctors and staff but was then taken to medical assessment (note - not mental assessment) and put to bed about 10.30pm.

At about 4am I called a nurse as I felt I needed to use the commode. All was well but a few minutes later the staff nurse on duty came and told me they were moving me to Brighton General.

I really couldn't believe they would move an elderly patient at that time of the morning. However, at 5am another elderly patient who really looked quite ill and myself, were taken in the chilly dawn to the general. I was taken to a small ward where the patients looked incapacitated mentally or physically.

I later saw a consultant who examined me and asked the usual questions. I was moved again to another ward where I felt out of place.

I resent being treated like a number so that figures suit the NHS minister. Fortunately, I managed to get home after a couple of days. I would like an apology to me and all elderly people who have to go through the system.

I have watched the NHS from its birth and know it has been abused through the years but would hate to see it slide into numbers.

Please, please, don't categorise us. Treat us as human beings.

-Mrs E Curtis, Brighton