From the Revd Dr Robert Britton
Sir, - You begin your leader comment ("Mortality
in hospital", 19 July) by stating that people go into hospital
to die. This simply is not true. People go to hospices to die; they
go into hospital in the hope, and often the belief, that they will
be cured and restored to health.
That many patients do die was not, and still is not,
the reason why they go into hospital in the first place.
You should not make statements that are untrue, and that offer
little if any hope to those who, for one reason or another, are
required to have a spell in hospital. While there is life, there is
always hope.
ROBERT BRITTON
2 Cherrytree Road
Fishponds, Bristol BS16 4EY