Thank you, Conquest

The samples were then sent for analysis to the Conquest. Later, at 10.15pm, I was watching television when the doorbell rang and on the doorstep was a lady doctor, who asked to examine me.

Within 15 minutes I was on my way to the Conquest with a letter from the doctor requesting an immediate blood transfusion, consisting of four carriers, lasting over 24 hours. The staff in my ward were all first-class: nothing was too much trouble, even when dealing with less co-operative patients, of whom there were many. I would like to make public my sincere appreciation for the skill and care I experienced throughout my three-day stay on Newington Ward.

On another point, I was concerned that during my stay there was a man, about mid-40s, walking up and down the corridors and using the drink dispensers. He was dressed in rather dishevelled outdoor garments - old jeans, a leather jacket and boots - and was talking on a mobile phone.

I found it unacceptable that such a dishevelled person was allowed to walk about the ward, occupied by persons undergoing treatment, where hygiene is of the utmost importance. I asked who he was and was told that he had been treated and discharged some time ago, but as he didn’t have a place of residence, the hospital had to let him stay on. Overhearing his mobile phone conversation, I realised he was talking to his mother and asking how his father was. He had two mobiles - the one he was talking on and the other on a lanyard around his neck. He was also able to afford cigarettes, as he was telling someone how far he had to walk outside to smoke. I asked a staff member if there were any other discharged persons in the hospital who had no place of residence and was told there were between six and eight, who had to be accommodated by the NHS.

I find this extraordinary to say the least. How about you?

DAVID A WALLIS

Cooden Drive, Bexhill-on-Sea

Bexhill-on-Sea