I was disappointed to read the recent correspondent (Opinion, July 6) who felt efforts to seek patients' views at Brighton General Hospital were "stupid". However, as senior nurse for the department concerned, I was delighted to read the care we provide cannot be faulted. In order to maintain these high standards, it is important to include staff and patients in any proposed changes.

The change to nurses' hours referred to has not been imposed on the nursing team. It is a proposal suggested by the nurses themselves and which is being evaluated to ensure it is of benefit to the team and to establish the impact on patient care. We are looking to move from the traditional three-shift day to 12-hour shifts. It has been suggested this could allow nurses to spend more intensive periods with patients, reduce the number of nights they work and, possibly, increase the number of available staff on duty.

Many of the patients we see in our department are regular users of the services and we feel it is important to involve them in the planning of the care we provide. As the senior nurse for the department, I am well aware of how change can affect both patients and staff. That is why I want a thorough evaluation of our proposals to ensure no detriment to care or to the patient-nurse relationship is likely to result.

Rather than do damage, as this correspondent suggests, we hope obtaining patient views will assist us in making the correct decisions.

Patient involvement in this exercise has been entirely voluntary and we would understand perfectly if someone felt too ill to contribute. If this correspondent would like to meet me to discuss the issue further, I can be contacted via the hospital switchboard.

-Eileen Nixon, Senior Nurse, Brighton General Hospital