With reference to the letter from Sally Robinson ('High price to pay for PCT name change', Chronicle, October 16) our new logo and branding were provided free by the Department of Health and we are replacing branded items with the old logo only as they run out.

Our new name, NHS Hounslow, has a clearer meaning: we are the local part of the NHS.

Hounslow residents know the NHS, and they know the NHS services they use, such as their GP, local hospital and dentist. We are responsible for making sure that everyone in Hounslow can access all NHS services.

In response to the letter from Tariq Mehmood ('I was taken off my doctor's list', Chronicle, October 16), no patient should be removed without good reason, which is usually that they have changed address and no longer see the same GP. We have a duty to ensure that GPs' patient lists are correct and we take a number of steps to prevent the removal of genuine patients, including writing to them twice and contacting their GP. It is very uncommon for genuine patients to be removed. Inflated lists deprive us of valuable resources that could be used for patient care.

If a patient is incorrectly removed it is easy to re-register with their practice. If they have any difficulty they should contact our patient advice and liaison service (PALS) on 0800 953 06 76.

KIKE BIYE Communications manager, NHS Hounslow.