I realize that the hospital budget is stretched, but even though I live in St. Catharines, which is well serviced by St. Catharines General and the prompt care at the old Hotel Dieu, I think it is terrible that Port Colborne is being treated so badly.

There are a lot of seniors in Port Colborne and they should not have to be driven a long distance for emergency medical care.

Since my husband needed urgent medical attention last December (which we received very well at prompt care and later by a stay in the St. Catharines General) we realize the importance of being looked after promptly. Had my husband not been treated that day he would probably not be here since he was in kidney failure and any delay could have been fatal.

Niagara-West Glanbrook MPP Tim Hudak is right -- for the amount of money we pay for hospital care in our taxes we are not getting value for money.

I am also very concerned with the number of "bugs" in the hospitals. My husband was discharged before he was really ready because of a virus on that floor. The methods used are laughable. I was asked to don a mask, gown and gloves to go to see him, but it was wintertime and the small gowns that were available were even too small for me even without any clothes on -- they certainly did not cover everything, which I understand is the purpose of putting them on anyway.

I also think more money should be spent on cleaning staff and the ones they have should be monitored more closely.

No wonder there are so many bugs flying around when the dirty mops are swished around for a once-over and edges and corners and under beds seem to be forgotten.

In the old days the hospitals were kept scrupulously clean by the nurses, not wearing outside clothes, but changing into uniforms which were kept at the hospitals and there were spic and span floors and bathrooms.

How times have changed and it is not necessarily all about lack of money -- it is lack of supervision and lack of pride in the work of the cleaning staff.

Dorothy Prickett

St. Catharines