ON Tuesday evening I sat through a consultation meeting on proposals for changes to services for Older Adults in Bristol and South Gloucestershire.

When the meeting was thrown open for questions some were read from the platform and some asked from the floor.

I heard about Grace Ward, the transport situation should visitors have to go to Blackberry Hill Hospital, equipment bought by the League of Friends at Thornbury Hospital, the ability of friends to pop in for five minutes (not to mention the other 55 minutes or the 23 hours of that day, apart from the inconvenience at travelling) but not once did I hear the word 'patient'

As a patient representative for the local trusts, my reasons for joining were to help create a health service where patients get the best possible care, where carers who entrust their loved one's for respite, which they, the careers richly deserve, get the best clinical care with above all respect for their dignity and privacy.

Please write to me if you think I'm wrong in my wish to help create a better National Health Service.

Bert Hunt Streamleaze Court Rock Street Thornbury