I AM writing to thank all those who have sent in comments on our consultation document "Proposals for future services at the new Savernake Hospital."

I would like to give some feedback on the comments. The written comments were, with one exception, positive and supported the general direction for the new Savernake set out in the consultative document.

However, additional facilities suggested at Savernake were:

l Staff facilities a creche and housing so that we stand a good chance of recruiting and retaining the staff we will need. We have added both items to the submission we have made to the NHS Executive. We will explore ways in which we might be able to provide these.

l Facilities for respite care to provide support for carers. We had always intended that this service is available and have now made specific mention of it in the proposals.

l A quiet room and/or a chapel for use by patients and staff. We will seek to include this in the plans.

l Shared restaurant/meeting area where staff and volunteers can meet and so encourage an integrated approach to caring for patients. We will retain a dining area for staff, volunteers, patients and visitors. We also plan to provide shared meeting rooms.

We also received comment that we should retain some day surgery at Savernake. As we explained at the public meeting this service will be provided in Swindon in a purpose-built unit which will be close to appropriate supporting services. We will therefore not be making any provision at Savernake.

The decision to relocate the stroke and neurological rehabilitation unit from Savernake to Swindon also drew comment. The plans for the 35 places at the new Savernake have been calculated on the basis that stroke patients from this area will return to Savernake from the Swindon hospital as soon as their condition allows.

They will then be able to receive rehabilitation and support from the therapists at Savernake.

There was also concern about car parking, public transport and the difficult access to the site off the busy A4.

We will pay attention to parking when we draw up the plans and will find ways of allowing buses to drive on to the site. We will be talking with the relevant planning authority to try and find a better solution to the site entrance.

I hope this shows we have listened to the comments and have amended the plans to take them into account.

The amended proposals have now been passed to the NHS Executive.

A consideration it will take into account is the support that the proposals have among the people who will make use of the service. We are confident we can demonstrate this beyond doubt.

I will ensure local people are kept informed as soon as we have any further progress to report .

PETER WILLIAMS

Savernake Hospital Partnership for Care project, Marlborough