I AM shocked that it has been decided to shut the neurological ward, Ward 38, at York Hospital (Fourth ward identified in closure programme, The Press, April 4).

General medical wards are not equipped to, nor do they they have the knowledge to, cope with neurological patients.

I recently spent eight months in hospital with neurological and cancer-related problems. When on general wards I was left to cope with day-to-day things that a neurological patient cannot deal with.

In addition, when concerns are mentioned to the staff they think it is a normal sort of complaint, when in fact it is neurologically-linked.

Neurological patients need to be fed and looked after nearly 24-hours-a-day, and when you have a ward full of paralysed patients this means specialist one-to-one care, where time needs to be spent washing, cleaning, feeding etc, which is not provided on general wards.

I was on a general ward for six weeks before my neurological diagnosis. I was being sick every few minutes. Not once was I offered help to be washed or assisted in showering.

On one occasion I tried to go for a shower. I was sick several times in the shower, and I had to clean this myself and find my own way back to the ward. I dreaded going back on to a general medical ward so much so that it hindered me coming to accident and emergency on occasion when I should have.

When I was readmitted, I was more than happy as soon as I was put on to the neurological ward, where my condition was fully understood.

You cannot close the neurological ward. These patients need specialist understanding and care that cannot be dissolved into general practice.

Karen Appleyard, Westminster Road, York.


I AM writing about the proposed closure of Ward 38 at York Hospital.

I myself used to work on Ward 38; the ward is essential to sufferers of neurological disorders, some of which are long and hard struggles for the patient, who is trying to adapt to a new life as it is.

Ward 38 becomes a big part of their treatment, as patients know staff and are at least going somewhere they know.

It is so important that the ward stays, as I know for a fact that there are other wards in the medical directorate wanting to lose beds to make room for future adaptations.

I am disgusted at the managers of the hospital for losing something so important to patients.

I would take this opportunity to say that I have never worked with such dedicated staff, who really do care. Ward 38 is the most thorough ward I have had the pleasure to work on.

This closure has to be stopped. It will have a direct effect on patient care.

Jacqui A, Darton, Barnsley.