I HAVE been rather concerned at reports of nurses being used to do office work, waitressing etc etc. This is not on.

These are fully qualified people, who have worked hard, and probably given up a lot to get through their training (poorly paid). Of course there is an answer to this - volunteers.

Just look at the East Lancs Hospice for example. I was a volunteer there for 14 years and loved every minute.

I had to retire due to ill health, but it nearly broke my heart to finish as I met some wonderful people, especially the patients and their families, they were an inspiration, they were so courageous.

We even got time to go on a one-to-one basis with patients and what a blessing that was. In every walk of life there is definitely room for volunteers.

MRS MARGARET WILLIAMS, retired volunteer, Edgeware Road, Blackburn.