The hospital has provided a vital service to Bishops Castle and the surrounding area for as long as I can remember. My father spent several spells there at the end of his life very often being cared for by local people. The hospital provides a vital stepping stone between the big hospital and people being able to get home. This can be very important when care is not yet available. Having spent a short time in hospital myself I experienced bed blocking first hand having to sit on chairs in A and E and then in A M A for hours waiting for a bed. If Bishops Castle was open this would help with this problem. It could also provide outpatient apointments for people closer to their homes. I have received physo there myself in the past.

Having had my brother in law, and sister looked after at this unit, I am able to say that the care given here is wonderful, and would be greatly missed if the plans to close it are carried out. As a recovery and rehabilitation unit this is a greatly needed asset, and If in future I or my wife need after care from operations or illness I would be very aggrieved to have to travel a long distance to access the same type of care. Please dont close this unit. (originally in caps but due to the sensitivity of some people I have retyped)