As I was walking home from my allotment in Quaker’s Walk, a lady loaded down with shopping coming towards me tripped over a raised manhole cover and fell face first onto the road. With the help of another young chap, I managed to get her to her feet and patted the blood from her bruised face and hands.

As we were right opposite the entrance to Devizes Hospital, I gathered up the lady’s belongings and helped her into the waiting area of the outpatients department.

There, we were brusquely reminded that there was now no A&E department and the nearest one was at Chippenham Hospital. But I wasn’t having that, and said that surely there must be someone here capable of getting this, obviously distressed, lady cleaned up and made comfortable as she was naturally anxious to be getting home.

After a good deal of sighing and eye-rolling, it was reluctantly agreed that the lady could have her injuries dealt with there and then.

As I wandered out of the hospital gates, I reflected on how our government was spending millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money on foreign aid to India and, more recently, Argentina and wondered if a few bob could be spared to provide a decent medical facility for my home town.

I understand that our MP, Claire Parry, has tried to get an A&E department re-established in Devizes. Well, perhaps she may try a bit harder next time.

Robert Hayter, Chantry Court, Devizes.