Through your pages I would just like to praise the efforts of Dr Martin and his skeleton staff for their efforts, against the odds, at the Dilke Hospital on Monday (03/01/2011).

However, I would also like to ask publicly, who was the genius who decided that just one doctor would be equipped to cover the whole of the Forest of Dean, that day particularly at this time of year, when every other person appears to be suffering from some ailment or another?

Those who have always paid their taxes, supported the NHS and given time and money to help save our local cottage hospitals, deserve better.

– Mark A Sargent, High Street, Aylburton.