THE letter writer who referred to her father being weak and undernourished in hospital deserves some sympathy (Letters, December 22).

But I suspect the various preparations of nourishment at York Hospital were fairly standard. What do you do if a patient refuses to eat - force feed?

The hospital staff have many types of patients with different temperaments and medical conditions to deal with.

Quite often they get things right but in most cases need the co-operation of the patient.

On another point, I do think that if patients were asked what they thought of having visitors while they were eating, many would prefer not to.

After all there will probably be at least six patients in the ward and it can get quite crowded with visitors.

During my short stay in a ward, I was happy just to have the company of my fellow inmates during meals.

John Beisly,

Osprey Close,

Acomb, York.

Updated: 10:12 Tuesday, January 03, 2006