It is sad to reflect that the people of Swindon proposed that many more beds would be needed at the Great Western Hospital.

It is sad to reflect that Tony Blair, in his speech to the Labour Party Congress, stated that many new hospitals were, and are, being built but did not add that some, as in Swindon, are replacing existing hospitals.

He did not reflect that the number of beds available would be increased for example, at PMH a ward allocated 24 beds frequently has additional beds, increasing the number to 28; the additional four beds are not included in the statistics.

It is sad to project that the Great Western Hospital will be in the same sad state as PMH within the next five years I only hope that I am proved wrong.

There is too much bureaucracy associated with the service and it is no wonder that many of our excellent and devoted doctors, nurses and support teams sometime seek alternative roles.

Disappointingly, I suggest the Great should be removed from the title.

David Holliday

Greywethers Avenue

Swindon