I RECENTLY spent some time in York District Hospital, after an incident involving the city's ancient pavements - so tourists beware!

To avoid me going 'stir crazy', my brother borrowed a wheelchair and took me walkies. Returning through the main door, I remarked to the duty porter that it was a shame about the inaccessibility of the pretty gardens that flank each side of this principal entry to the wards.

He listened politely, and agreed with me then added, casually: "Enjoy them while you can. They're going to be converted into shops."

I'm saddened by this further evidence of commerce infiltrating every corner of our daily life. Gardens are a valuable amenity in public buildings, especially a busy hospital. Green places provide a space for quiet reflection, and for healing - both mental and physical.

I used to work in the library at the hospital. I was there when the fish were evicted, the fat and lazy goldfish that delighted visiting children. Still the mother duck returns to the hospital to raise her annual brood of ducklings, but now she must make do with a child's paddling pool to teach them to swim. Now they have decided to build a hospital shopping mall and rake in extra pennies.

Apart from any aesthetic objections, weren't these open spaces designed to act as fire-breaks between wards? If so, what alternatives are proposed by the hospital's health and safety officer? Will she/he get advice from York Fire Brigade? I hope some brave fire-fighter replies: "Leave 'em as they are. Why fix what isn't broken? ".

Jennifer Brice,

Lambert Court,

Bishophill,

York.