HOW patronising can some people be?

The previous letters, it seems to me, are directed really at the management of the hospital, who refuse to listen to the very real concerns of patients and also from the point of view of visitors to the increasingly distressed patients.

I speak from experience as last year my father had to have a prolonged stay in hospital.

At 87 years old he broke his leg and, after several complications which included being rushed into theatre during his treatment twice, his recovery was delayed by these very same prison officers, doing exactly the same as previous correspondents have mentioned.

All the patients and visitors mentioned this to nursing staff, doctors, social services and administrators, who eventually moved the prisoners and their guards into a side ward when one became available.

The same procedure happened TWICE in his seven week stay in October last year, and it seems to me it is still happening.

We do not begrudge their stay in hospital or their treatment. We do when it affects the health and well being of loved ones.

I am sure that my father's stay would not have been as prolonged if the above had been put in a side ward from the beginning.

Name and address supplied.