THURSDAY's edition of the Daily Mail (on November 23), carried a front page spread stating that "filthy hospitals kill 5000 patients each year". This is tantamount to accusing hospital staff of mass corporate murder. I have never read a more vicious slander in a newspaper, originated in order to denigrate the NHS, a scurrilous piece of political journalism published in order to create panic and apprehension among people awaiting hospitalisation.

Thanks to the BEN for the news item which appeared the same day setting out the position as far as our Bolton hospital is concerned.

As a regular visitor to the Day Care Centre and one other department, I categorically state that not only the doctors, nurses and other staff are absolutely marvellous, but the cleaning and maintenance staff also qualify for high praise for the cleanliness of the hospital.

I wish that many readers of the Daily Mail will share my disgust at this political muck-raking by cancelling their subscription.

Mr J Holding

Victoria Court,

Stocks Park Drive,

Horwich, Bolton.