RECENTLY, on a Saturday, my grandson was taken to the GP who examined him for suspected appendicitis.

She rang Bury General Hospital to enquire if a bed was available, only to be told that children under the age of 16 who required an anaesthetic were not being admitted as the hospital does not have a children's anaesthetist. The doctor then had to ring the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital which fortunately had a bed and was able to take him.

I wonder if parents know about this policy at Bury General. I can understand a patient who needs specialist treatment being referred elsewhere, but why is our local hospital not able to remove a child's appendix?

The care and treatment my grandson received whilst in hospital was excellent, but it is disgusting that he had to travel 14 miles to receive it.

I only hope that this situation is temporary and does not reflect the recently reported cash crisis in the borough's health service. What is the point of having a new hospital built at Fairfield when there is underfunding and understaffing?

I know from my own experience, and from listening to other people, that the care given by staff at Bury General and Fairfield is very good, but why should hospital staff have added stress put upon them because of lack of funding?

A WORRIED

GRANDMOTHER