I was pleased to see the report in The Press (Disgraced doctors' victims get "closure", January 10), about the reports from the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence (CHRE), which were commissioned by the Government following the three inquiries into Kerr, Haslam, Neale and Ayling.

The Shipman inquiry was a totally separate but similar inquiry.

As the lay member who served on the Neale Inquiry, I am pleased to see that the CHRE has picked up on some of our recommendations to ensure that patients are safe and protected when they are receiving health care.

The CHRE is a newish body created by the Government to bring together all the bodies that regulate health care professionals, and its work is needed to ensure that there are core behaviour standards for all health professionals.

To ensure patient safety, these standards should also be included in their employment contracts, which in Neale's case would have made it easier to deal with him.

There is still much work to be done, especially in enabling patients and their carers to be able to report unprofessional behaviour and to know that it is dealt with speedily and appropriately.

But the CHRE, building on the extensive work of the three inquiries, has made a start, and I for one welcome these reports.

Christina Funnell, Upper Price Street, York.