SIR: I would be interested to know whether I am the only inhabitant of this town who does not remember Bolton Royal Infirmary as some elysium. It appears from the volume of letters published in latter months that most people are grief stricken at its closure and demolition, and I find this response totally incomprehensible and wholly inappropriate.

I am a young woman who has been mentally and emotionally scarred by a horrendous experience I endured some years ago when I underwent an operation at the Infirmary which was not successful. Whilst conceding that my experience may not be typical, I must confess to being somewhat bemused by the sentiments expressed in several letters and poems. Many people, myself included, suffered much pain, homesickness, loneliness and disorientation whilst at Bolton Royal, and we certainly do not look back to our time there with 'grateful tears' and 'longing sighs'.

I find the fact that there are those who do look back in this way rather sad.

Former patient

Name and address supplied

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.