Ann McClements, vice-chair, Devon Senior Voice, writes:

Devon Senior Voice is ­concerned that the NHS will not be able to continue to look after the elderly effectively because of the shortage of ­clinicians and a shortage of finance.

We strongly believe that until information is published transparently we will never solve the problem.

It is interesting that Derriford Hospital in Plymouth has at last admitted that it can no longer cope and has therefore ­cancelled the waiting list for certain back operations.

Nationally there are not enough eye surgeons, and there are cases of elderly people going blind. Bad eyesight that is not treated can lead to falls and accidents and more ­hospital admissions.

We are aware that all our major hospitals have significant backlogs in many of their ­specialties and we think it is essential that we should all be made aware of the difficulties being experienced by the health service and its employees, who are struggling to cope with the increasing demand.

The NHS must plan for future demand by improving the capacity to meet it.