MAY I refer to the Devizes Hospital situation and the recent articles and letters in the Gazette and Herald.

One article by Jill Crooks quotes the £7 million plan for the Green Lane site but I think I am correct that this plan has never been on the agenda with the present day primary care trust, that plan was put forward by the previous PCT, which no longer exists.

It appears from the meetings taking place with the trust that Devizes Hospital does not seem to come into its reckoning.

With the Chippenham and Savernake hospitals being used for the necessary hospital treatment, it seems to be more concerned with treating patients in their own homes with coverage from different medical departments on a 24-hour basis.

What will be the cost and the number of people required for this coverage? I have my doubts that this is workable.

It also states the elderly will be put into care homes so can I assume that this whole project will be means tested with the ability to pay?

Trust chief executive Barbara Smith has said it is very clear that the people of Devizes value their hospital but it is not working as well as it could.

I feel this is absolute nonsense, the hospital can only work to the amount of money it received and therefore it can obstruct in some cases of working to its full capacity.

I am afraid I do not agree with Professor C Tottle when he says there is little point on blaming the Government and calling for more money, enough has been offered already and it is the administrative bodies who apportion the funds who must accept the blame for shortcomings.

I am a Labour voter and I feel the Government is to blame for the shortcomings through its large army of high salaried bureaucrats and this money could overcome any shortcomings.

I am sorry to say this, but to me the fact that just 110 people attended the meetings does not seem a very strong protest to save one of the town's most vital assets, its hospital.

May I ask the councillors if they envisaged the present happenings to the town with its entry to the 21st century?

J HUNT

Runcorn, Cheshire