Sir, My mother recently passed away at the Tenby Cottage Hospital at the age of 86. The care she received there was second to none. All of the staff displayed care and compassion in abundance. They were so considerate and loving and did everything possible to make my mother's last days on earth as peaceful and comfortable as possible. It was with despair that I learned that this fine establishment is soon to close. We live in a sad world that seems to value the worth of an institution by the fabric of the buildings or the accounts book rather than by the quality of its staff and their performances. The Tenby area is losing a wonderful amenity staffed by a remarkably dedicated team of carers. To the administrators who made the decision to close this hospital I quote you the words of Joni Mitchell from a 1960s song, 'You don't know what you've got 'till it's gone...'.
Richard Pyart, Southampton.
Editor's note: Although Tenby Cottage Hospital is due to close, an exciting new initiative is currently taking place at Park House Court Nursing Home, where a state-of-the-art building will provide 25 additional care beds, 10 of which, on the ground floor section, will be used exclusively for NHS hospital patients. The Park House Court Ward, which is expected to open next year, will complete the reprovision of services that have previously been provided at the old Cottage Hospital. The NHS beds will be accessed exactly like any other community hospital beds and will provide modern up-to-date facilities for patients who require intermediate and palliative care.