SIR – We were particularly interested in last week s Comet concerning Stephen Collins because a couple of weeks ago the Daily Mail published a full page article concerning a lady who, it seemed, had the same operation as the one refused by the North and E

SIR - We were particularly interested in last week's Comet concerning Stephen Collins because a couple of weeks ago the Daily Mail published a full page article concerning a lady who, it seemed, had the same operation as the one refused by the North and East Herts PCT. The result being that she and at least twenty nine others have been completely cured.

When the PCT says that there is little evidence to support the effectiveness of this intervention and that the available literature does not demonstrate that it is clinically effective. Are we to assume that they have deliberately ignored the available evidence or are they suggesting that all the other PCTs paid for the operation without making enquiries regarding its effect?

I believe Hemicrania continua (or cluster headaches) are often referred to as the suicide headaches, because so many past sufferers have been unable to bear the continual pain. Perhaps the PCTs reviewers have conveniently ignored this fact also.

NAME AND ADDRESS

SUPPLIED