It is very sad that the Friends of Savernake Hospital have had to use their precious funds legally to try to re-open the minor injuries unit and day hospital at Savernake and taxpayers’ money has been used lavishly by the Wiltshire Primary Care Trust to defend their closures, all of which would have been better spent on patient care.

It is clear that the health authority has not provided an alternative minor injuries unit for Marlborough, Ramsbury, Burbage, Hungerford, Pewsey and adjoining villages which is within easy and affordable reach. Similarly, the advantages of day hospital and in-patient care at Savernake are more affordable and practical than laudable attempts to give all-embrasive care at home by neighbourhood teams. There are not the number of trained and available staff locally to achieve this dream-like aim comprehensively for everyone.

Is it too late for the health authority to stop its legal and expensive action and consult with local opinion and bodies on what should be an affordable, balanced and practical health service locally?

Alan Rix Reeds Ground Marlborough