Sir – I should like to record my impressions and deep gratitude to the Oxfordshire social services, physiotherapists and staffs of the John Radcliffe Hospital and, in particular, the Abingdon Community Hospital. The John Radcliffe nursing was professional, as one would expect, but its catering department needs urgent attention with regard to nutrition for seriously ill patients. Loving care was shown by most nurses in Abingdon and their patience with difficult and senile patients needed to be seen to be believed.

The well-cooked nutritious food was in the hands of the excellent Polish chef — always piping hot and attractively served. Those of us who know Polish cooking regard it as superior to French cuisine and Abingdon’s meals were no exception. Abingdon Community Hospital is a vital and important back-up for the larger local hospitals when they need to siphon-off convalescent patients like me to free beds for emergency cases and on no account should it ever be picked for closure. I have many grateful and warm memories of Abingdon Community Hospital.

S.V. Owen Oxford