IN the past years of my life, there were far more than the two hospitals, Bolton Royal and Bolton General, that your letter writers write about.

There were many more, all but two were called convalescent homes or convalescent hospitals. Why were they closed?

I remember in the 1950s, having a haemorrhoid operation at Townleys -- now the Royal Bolton Hospital. Next day I was transferred to a hospital at Bromley Cross where I received more than adequate nursing.

I remember visiting other places to see family and friends as hospital patients, receiving treatment. Three on Chorley New Road, one on Hulton Lane. I remember others on Belmont Road, Little Hulton, Ainsworth and a fever hospital in Darley, Farnworth. I have probably forgotten others.

Why don't the health authorities consider returning to the old days when adequate treatment was available, proving the advantage of convalescent homes? I can even suggest an appropriate site for one. We need Queen's Park, but Darley Park would be ideal -- build one there!

I remember Darley Park when it had 12 tennis courts, two bowling greens, a putting green, a football pitch, gardens, and two pavilions, one which had separate changing rooms for both sexes. Now it is a wilderness. It is abutted on one side by St Peter's Way; access to and from the road could easily be arranged. The park is only 100 yards or so from Farnworth railway station.

I am sure that no one disputes that the present Fishpool site of the Royal Bolton Hospital is inadequate. Any more buildings on the site would make it even more difficult to find parking spaces. The situation deteriorates week by week, and no one in authority seems to care.

Perhaps we should all write to Tony Blair on the subject.

George K Brown

Barncroft Road

Farnworth

Bolton