AS another outraged patient of the excellent York GP Martin Ashley, I call on all patients of York Medical Group who deplore the injunction against him and Gill Towler to vote with their feet ('York doctors in court fight', June 20).

Leave York Medical Group before the end of June if you wish to be able to go on seeing them under the terms of the injunction.

The partners there have proved they have no respect for the fact that many patients and doctors do not believe that if "you've seen one doctor you've seen 'em all".

I deeply resent learning from the papers that my GP, a man with whom I do not always agree, but from whom I know I can confidently expect the very best he has to offer and an honest interaction with a real human being, has been forced into court action over whether or not he can continue to treat us.

My plan is to take my family away from York Medical Group before the end of June, and then locate Doc Ash (as he is known in our house) and continue to see him.

I urge all his patients to do the same, and deprive YMG of any benefit from having us on their books. YMG have not even had the courtesy to inform patients that this was going on.

Come on YMG, are we livestock to be traded or are we people who, much as you may deplore the fact, do actually count?

Sarah Mellard,

Alder Way, New Earswick, York.

...AS a patient of Dr Martin Ashley, I was saddened by the decision to take him and Dr Towler to court to maintain their patients within the practice.

It seems that both Dr Kaliszer and Mike Harvey, chief officer of the York and District Community Health Council, have lost the plot. The former saying: "The covenant merely restricts Drs Ashley and Towler from providing treatment to the patients in our practice..." The latter claiming: "Patients should not see a difference in their health services. They just might not be able to see the GP they were used to seeing".

Patients are not economic units, nor do they have a commercial relationship with their doctor, nor do they 'merely' see any GP.

I chose my doctor carefully ten years ago, not the practice I wished to consult. A relationship of trust has been built up, and when that time came when something serious happened to my health, and I was extremely frightened, it is to a doctor we know, and trust that my wife and I turned. He gave reassurance and comfort.

I am now told, by a court decision obtained by doctors who say they wish to serve me, but don't know me, that I cannot go with the doctor of my choice, but that I can just see a GP. I prefer to make my own choice, and not be told whom I may consult, or where I will go for medical treatment.

Reverend David M Porter,

All Saints' Rectory,

St Andrewgate, York.

...WE were very sad to read about Dr M Ashley leaving the Monkgate Health Centre. We have been his patients for 13 years. We are in out late seventies.

He was not just our doctor, but a friend who found time to listen and to give advice. He will be sadly missed.

Mr and Mrs J H Edwards,

Westholme Drive, York.

...WE have been patients of Dr Ashley since he arrived at Monkgate 13 years ago and know we could not find a more caring and excellent doctor, in whom we have complete faith.

Whatever the merits of the disagreement, we find it very difficult to believe finances should take preference over patients' health and welfare, but it would seem that this is so.

So far as we are aware we have always had the right to choose our own GP, but it would seem this has now been taken away from us.

We are deeply saddened at the judge's decision in this case and more than a little angry.

We note York MP Mr Bayley's comments that he hopes some compromise can be found.

Perhaps he will raise the question of patients' rights with the Health Minister.

L W and J A Lawrence,

Burgess Walk, York.

Updated: 10:42 Tuesday, June 26, 2001