SIR — Further to your report 'Future is safe' pledge on town hospital' (Free Press June 28), unreliable 14-year-old X-ray equipment was handed over just over a year ago by Musgrove Park Hospital. Near the end of its useful life after ten years, this has been the root cause of the X-ray department's problems.
The primary care trust and our league of friends managed to find the money for digital X-ray facilities, with pictures sent electronically to Musgrove's consultants.
But guess who pays for their equipment and storage facilities? Yes, our own primary care trust and league of friends.
I have also been informed that Musgrove's consultants want new contracts so that they will no longer have to travel to Minehead's X-ray department but will still be able to cover Bridgwater Hospital.
Sorry Mr Slack, you say "with our new equipment it will give us a good foundation" but how, without consultants?
Also, why is it that our hospital's X-ray staff are employed by Taunton Musgrove NHS Trust?
To date we have been told that our operating theatre, our maternity facility and our accident and emergency department were all safe.
Where are they now? Covered by Musgrove Park Hospital!
Concerned? Then please write to your MP to make sure that we keep our X-ray department and that it is the very best that can be provided.
Cllr John Clark,
Deputy Mayor,
Minehead Town Council.