Carol Ramsden left important facts out of her letter about the NHS. (Opinion, December 28).

In 1995 and 1996, under the Tory government, there was no increase in the number of qualified nurses in the NHS. Since 1997 there have been about 10,000 more nurses following recruitment campaigns and Pay Review Body awards.

The Tories reduced the number of nurse training places, leading to a shortage.

But by 2000, Labour had increased to about 21,000 the number of nursing and midwifery training places (6,000 more than there were in 1996). Applications for these places are increasing.

-David Lepper, Labour and Co-operative MP, Brighton Pavilion