READING your article (LET, February 18) about the treatment of a woman whose husband alleged she suffered 'criminal neglect' on a ward at Blackburn Infirmary, I was very distressed to think what this would do for staff morale on this ward.

Talking from my own experience of this ward at the same time as this lady, I have only the utmost respect for the underpaid, overworked staff who did their best to put both patients and families at ease and as comfortable as possible, as well as being as helpful and compassionate as you could wish for.

Every minute of their working shift they spent with one or another of the patients. Meal breaks were cut short or, in some cases, became non-existent to compensate for the short staffing.

To the staff, I say: Carry on with the good work in the very trying and stressful circumstances brought about by underfunding at the grass roots of the NHS. What is needed is more doctors, nurses and staff on the wards, not bureaucracy.

The wrong people are being blamed by the patients and their families and not enough praise is given to the staff, who have to be in the front line and take all the criticism without being able to come back in their own defence. Unfortunately, my wife died in December, just before the end of one of the shifts.

But two of the nurses stayed behind to look to my wife and also take some of the pressure from the shift that was coming on at the time.

This was done without pay but with dedication and, may I say, love for the job.

The staff deserve not just praise but a big medal for all they do. I only wish that if any one of my family has to go into hospital, they get the same love and dedication as my wife received on this ward.

NAME AND ADDRESS RECEIVED

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