I read with interest the letter from Sonia Griffith (Monday, December 17) claiming the £375,000 for art in the Great Western Hospital should be spent on life saving equipment.

Whilst I fully understand her concern, I must point out that millions of pounds have already been allocated to such equipment.

The Government has given us £8 million for new equipment, and Evolution aims to raise a further £5 million in an effort to ensure that the hospital has modern equipment when it opens in November 2002.

We already have one of the most sophisticated scanners in the South West and when we move to the Great Western, the computerised X-ray system will be one of the most modern in the country.

Vital equipment for the hospital has been and always will come first in our list of priorities.

Sonia Griffith also says that people donating funds to our Evolution appeal would be concerned about their money being frittered away on art.

The money being invested in art for the new hospital will come from special grants from bodies which fund art projects.

This will be supplemented by donations from individuals who have specifically asked for their money to finance art. No donation to the Evolution Appeal will be spent on art unless the donor specifically requests that it should be.

I am glad that she acknowledges the value of the surroundings in the Great Western, as environment is an important part of patient care and something we have worked on very carefully.

Coming into hospital can be a frightening, worrying, even traumatic experience for people and anything we can do to put patients and their friends and family at their ease and make their visit or stay more pleasant has to be a good thing.

Chris Birdsall

Communications manager

Okus Trading Estate

Swindon