I MUST take issue with you over your comments on smoking in hospitals (LET Opinion, July 16).

May I remind you that many patients in hospital are elderly, and many may have terminal illnesses?

If they have been lifelong smokers, then to stop them is not caring; it's being cruel.

Furthermore, relatives may be called to the hospital to hear sad or distressing news. They may even be summoned urgently to hear shocking news.

They, too, need a quiet room to sit and comtemplate, or grieve - and smoke if they need.

We must have compassion. Medicine is not just about operations and drugs - it's about compassion and understanding also.

Finally may I tell you of the time I was called out to the Blackburn Infirmary at about 3am one weekend, a few years ago?

Arriving at the ward office with my pipe in my mouth I was glared at by a gentleman, who said he was disgusted.

I spent the rest of the night saving his wife's life.

Perhaps I should have been sacked.

JACK MAGELL, F.R.C.S., The Barn, Old Back Lane, Wiswell, Whalley.

FOOTNOTE: Our leader column did not complain about smoking in hospital by old or terminally-ill patients or by distressed relatives, but criticised plans to assist (fit and well) staff to do so. Editor.

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