Firework law

a new approach Hospital is victim of own success I READ with great sadness, David Young's letter commenting about the deteriorating standards at the Royal Bolton Hospital.

I suspect this is just an unfortunate use of words, which would imply the clinical standards of the hospital are deteriorating.

And, on the contrary, the standards of this hospital have risen dramatically over the last few years.

It is widely recognised the Royal Bolton Hospital is one of the finest training and teaching units in the region, exemplified by the number of young doctors who wish to come to work in this establishment.

This is not the picture of a failing hospital.

This hospital has unfortunately become the victim of its own success, and we are inundated by patients in all specialties from well outside the Bolton catchment area.

To add to the difficulties, we have a large number of patients in all specialties who are simply enjoying an expensive bed and breakfast because of a lack of Social Services back-up, which of course is a National issue.

The ill-informed comments from the likes of David Young are of little help to the community that we serve, and may indeed alarm elderly and vulnerable members of our society.

What is really required is constructive dialogue, and without doubt a significant injection of cash would solve some of these problems.

I think it would be reasonable to suggest a resurrection of the large number of nursing homes and rest homes which were shut down as a result of Central Government policy.

We are now seeing the effect of that policy, with large numbers of elderly patients occupying acute high tech beds, which are of course very expensive to run.

Be rest assured Mr Young, that if you unfortunately sustain a myocardial infarction, and break your leg at the same time, you will probably get some of the finest treatment which could be delivered in the UK anywhere.

A J Banks MSc, FRCS

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust

Royal Bolton Hospital

Minerva Road, Farnworth I READ with great sadness, David Young's letter commenting about the deteriorating standards at the Royal Bolton Hospital.

I suspect this is just an unfortunate use of words, which would imply the clinical standards of the hospital are deteriorating.

And, on the contrary, the standards of this hospital have risen dramatically over the last few years.

It is widely recognised the Royal Bolton Hospital is one of the finest training and teaching units in the region, exemplified by the number of young doctors who wish to come to work in this establishment.

This is not the picture of a failing hospital.

This hospital has unfortunately become the victim of its own success, and we are inundated by patients in all specialties from well outside the Bolton catchment area.

To add to the difficulties, we have a large number of patients in all specialties who are simply enjoying an expensive bed and breakfast because of a lack of Social Services back-up, which of course is a National issue.

The ill-informed comments from the likes of David Young are of little help to the community that we serve, and may indeed alarm elderly and vulnerable members of our society.

What is really required is constructive dialogue, and without doubt a significant injection of cash would solve some of these problems.

I think it would be reasonable to suggest a resurrection of the large number of nursing homes and rest homes which were shut down as a result of Central Government policy.

We are now seeing the effect of that policy, with large numbers of elderly patients occupying acute high tech beds, which are of course very expensive to run.

Be rest assured Mr Young, that if you unfortunately sustain a myocardial infarction, and break your leg at the same time, you will probably get some of the finest treatment which could be delivered in the UK anywhere.

A J Banks MSc, FRCS

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust

Royal Bolton Hospital

Minerva Road, Farnworth