I am writing to you about what a brilliant job, in adversity, the doctors and nurses do, at both Barnet and Chase Farm hospitals, where my four-year-old son, is currently being treated for pneumonia.

I say in adversity, because it took five hours for a GP visit and a further 13 hours for a bed to be found, at the second hospital, at 3.15am.

Also, there is a lack of basic life-saving equipment, staff and nurses. However, like us teachers, they cope wonderfully. The children (including my son), even have to wait or queue, to share the IV equipment, administering their antibiotic life-saving drugs.

Added to this, there is a 24-bed ward at Barnet Hospital, which they are not able to use, due to having insufficient nurses.

I have written to Tony Blair about this, as I feel that he should provide the help needed in our country, as well as giving help to our developing Irene Addison

Bosworth Road, Barnet

December 31, 2001 14:52