SIR: I refer to the closure of Bolton Royal Infirmary. It certainly was disastrous and a big mistake to close such a wonderful hospital as Bolton Royal Infirmary, and it does not surprise me at all that the Casualty Department at the new Royal Bolton Hospital is in crisis with waiting of up to four hours. Having visited the hospital myself in the outpatients department I found that it is chaotic, and there is a very long waiting period for X-rays etc. Of course this is no fault of the staff, and they are doing a good job after the disruption of the transferring everything from Bolton Royal Infirmary.

I believe the closure of Bolton Royal Infirmary has upset and saddened the majority of the people of Bolton. For such a fine hospital to be closed was ludicrous. What a waste of tax payers' money to have a new multi million hospital built on to Bolton General. They could have had Bolton Royal Infirmary modernised which would have been much more convenient for most people. After all a town the size of Bolton needed two hospitals. I think they should name some of the wards at the new hospital after Bolton Royal Infirmary wards. Such as - Churchill Ward, Mallet Ward, Cooper Ward, Patrick Clinic etc.

Mrs J Spencer, Belmont Road, Bolton.

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