I AM writing to express my concern at a recent change in health care practices in the UK. Last night I faced the simple problem of trying to get some advice on how best to treat my four-year-old son with an ear infection that was clearly distressing him.

Having witnessed the problem previously with an older son, which ended in extreme pain as a result of a burst eardrum, you can appreciate that we were not willing to let this run its course without advice.

On phoning Savernake Hospital my wife was informed by the duty nurse that we should contact Prime Care which would deal with the case.

When the call was finally taken by the Prime Care operator it was clear that they were not particularly well trained. I find that having to explain where Wiltshire is when you have a sick child does not instil confidence in the system is this call centre even within the UK? We were informed that a doctor would call us back shortly, but after an hour we gave up and called Savernake again and asked if we could bring Douglas in.

Again we were told that this was not possible and we were referred back to Prime Care. This proved equally frustrating as we were told the schedule was busy and were informed the doctor would get back to us soon if we had been waiting long.

Within 20 minutes the returned phone call by the doctor informed us of a new practice whereby ear infections are no longer treated with antibiotics and pain treatment was the preferred route, even if that meant a burst eardrum.

While I can appreciate the need to restrict unnecessary use of antibiotics, I cannot accept that this is an efficient method of dispensing healthcare.

Surely this new procedure is less efficient than the old? I wonder how many more administrators per primary health care workers are involved in such a scheme? The removal of a drop-in facility at the Savernake Hospital leaves me wondering what purpose the Minor Injuries Unit now serves. This local service was very much appreciated by the community and this change will prove unpopular.

At a time when the Government claims it is pouring money into the NHS, activities like this point to a significant downgrading in services as a result of poor management.

I am writing to you to let you know of my concerns of this new system in the slight hope you may read this letter and the presumably many more you will face from angered parents and act to return the system to something which is more logical.

M BEDFORD

Beckhampton

(Letter to Wiltshire Health Authority)