REGARDING the BEN's front page story on Friday: "Surgeon blasts hospital 'hotel' scandal".

Mr Banks is quite right to highlight this fact.

Recently, my brother Michael had his left leg amputated. He was placed in D4 at the Royal Bolton Hospital. While in hospital, he made friends with one or two gentleman who were in for the same reason. One of these men had been in for quite some time, due to the fact he had nowhere to go. The flat he had was no longer suitable for his needs -- wheelchair, toilet, shower etc -- and, being on the second floor and no lift, it just wasn't possible for him to go back to that.

So, in the meantime, he had to stay in hospital while Social Services/Housing Department tried to find somewhere suitable. It's a depressing situation for all parties concerned. The gent himself felt really low and fed up not having a place to call his own.

The Government must surely know that hospital care and after-care go hand in hand. If all these things are not addressed and something done now, things will only get worse.

We have a brilliant hospital with superb people -- caring people -- who, day by day, end up feeling frustrated because our Government just don't give them the help and support they need.

To the Government, all I can say is -- "Get your finger out!"

Mrs Joan Fitton

Barrett Avenue

Kearsley