ONCE more there is some trouble at our valued and efficient Fordingbridge Hospital. Once again we need to make sure that its future is safeguarded. It seems to me that our hospital has more inquiries and suspensions than other hospitals, such as those in Kent where 90 people died or have been condemned for shocking conditions.

But they are never closed or threatened with closure. It makes me think that there are other agendas.

Last year when danger threatened we had splendid support.

To sum up my support for our staff I would like to repeat the comments that I sent to them after my four week confinement' last summer: I know - I've been there!

I spent four weeks in that treasure called Fordingbridge Hospital - as near a perfect institution as is possible to imagine. And a splendid example of a community looking after its own. I thought that our hospital was worthy of support before, I am doubly certain now. A hospital stay is not everyone's choice, and perhaps we would often prefer not to know what goes on there Hospitals are not hotels (although the food at our hospital bears favourable comparison with many). Hospitals exist to cure or alleviate the ills of the patients. Patients can endure pain, discomfort, embarrassment and perhaps some indignity, but they will also enjoy a great deal of care and compassion and skill.

I discovered that it is only possible to know a hospital when you become a patient. In a very short time the patient sees and experiences a different world to that observed by visitors and other kindly people. It is a world of skills, kindness and care.

In our Fordingbridge Hospital a miscellany of people - many of them local - give superlative treatment to a miscellany of patients. A community looking after its own. I know many of the staff and I was amazed to witness the extent of their daily tasks, and the skilful, cheerful manner in which they undertook them.

You know, I am as embarrassed to say such things as the staff members will be to read them, but, I am so proud of all the staff - of all the work they do and the responsibilities they take. I am, and I invite everyone to be equally proud of what we have at our hospital.

We must safeguard will all our might.

B A BRAY, Fordingbridge.