Sir – Walking and cycling improve health. Car exhausts contain noxious gases and soot.

Many patients live within walking or cycling distance of the Headington hospitals. Many more are within walking distance of a bus stop on a hospital route.

The hospitals struggle to retain staff, partly because house prices in Oxford are absurd. Affordable housing near the John Radcliffe Hospital would reduce the need for temporary staff. The hospitals trust could then afford to run subsidised patient transport for those who really need it.

Meanwhile, Dr Michael Ward (Letters, March 26) suggests that the best use for available land near the John Radcliffe Hospital is another road, and a bigger car park.

I despair.

Dr Nicholas Lawrence
Chairman, St Clements Surgery Patients Participation Group, Oxford