REGARDING the 20-mile hospital dash. Yes, it is a worry when a child becomes unwell, but really, now expecting the NHS to take responsibility for people’s domestic arrangements?

You cannot expect the NHS to ensure you have someone to look after family should you have to make a dash to hospital suddenly. Surely it is your responsibility to have previously planned something should the situation arise?

A highly-trained paramedic was on scene, and didn’t feel the need to blue light the youngster to A and E, the Dilke is open until 11pm with very capable nurse practitioners on duty.

I have used the service many times, but all areas don’t have a doctor on duty 24/7.

You go to your nearest regional hospital.

In Ross, where I live, our minor injuries is only open Monday to Friday 9-5, and we, like other areas, have to travel to hospital – in our case Hereford or Gloucester.

The Forest is very lucky to have the Dilke open seven days a week until 11pm with highly-trained nurses.

There is a 24-hour GP based at Gloucester to serve a huge area to save waiting hours in A and E for GP-appropriate problems. I’m certainly not trying to undermine the worry of the family, especially where a child is concerned, but please don’t blame an already under-funded NHS for one’s domestic arrangements.

– LAJ, Ross-on-Wye.