AFTER reading Mr John Brunt's article in the BEN (Octbbober 3) defending the closure of Bolton Royal Infirmary, I cannot agree with his remarks in saying another hospital would not solve the problem.

Maybe it wouldn't solve it, but it would take some of the burden from the Royal Bolton Hospital and give them the time and staff to cope with life-threatening illnesses.

Another hospital could take non life-threatening illnesses, such as X-rays, screening, broken limbs, stitches for cuts and minor injuries plus referrals to consultants to assess whether or not an operation was essential.

All these things would take the pressure away from the Royal Bolton Hospital and lessen the chance of any more fatalities occurring such as the one reported in the BEN on October 5.

Stress causes mistakes and I hope if any more are made it is not in my family.

If, by the way, a terrorist attack occurred in Bolton or the surrounding districts, as it did in America, could one hospital cope then? No it couldn't!

So, as they say in the Boy Scouts -- be prepared. Afterthoughts are no use to the dead or dying. Saying sorry it won't happen again is no consolation to the bereaved. So, think again.

As for Bolton Royal Infirmary being inefficient I disagree. It was convenient to most districts being close to the town centre and, as a lot of people travel by bus, it incurred only one bus trip (a lot of people don't have cars or people to take them by car).

Please think again before it's too late.

S Kirkham

Queensgate

Bolton