IN March 2003 my 85-year-old father, George Barrow, who lives in Westbury, suffered a stroke.

My mother was poorly at the time too and suddenly the lives of a couple who had enjoyed independence and activity were thrown into chaos.

For the first week or so Dad was treated at Bath's Royal United Hospital, while mum was moved temporarily into a care home. As soon as a bed was available, dad was moved to the Stroke Unit at Westbury.

I cannot speak too highly of the treatment he received there.

Over the next three months, with the help of its nursing and physiotherapy staff, he regained use of his legs, and his speech was brought back almost to normal.

He was able to walk again and was helped back to semi-independence and confidence by staff who showed him how to do simple tasks.

Over the months we were able to bring mum over for visits.

Eventually both were able to come home at Westbury, not very far from the hospital which had become a second home during dad's recovery.

At first they had a care worker living in, but now they are managing with a helper just one day a week.

It's not easy, but it seems like a miracle, after seeing both mum and dad so ill a year ago, to see them doing the shopping, going to church and living something like a normal life again.

And then, on New Year's Eve, came the terrible news that the Stroke Unit might close.

Dad was in tears over it and I was stunned.

According to Hansard, wasn't it only on December 9 that a minister announced that by April, 95 per cent of all hospitals would have specialist stroke services?

If Westbury Stroke Unit closes it will be a retrograde step for an NHS which has received extra investment to make such provision available, based on best practice.

It will also be a tragedy for families like mine, who have seen miracles happen in this unit.

W WALKER,

Haydon,

Radstock.