I JUST thought that I had to put pen to paper regarding my recent stay at the Royal Bolton Hospital.

I was staying on C4 ward -- a very nice ward and very clean.

I must say that all the staff on the ward -- doctors, sisters, auxiliary nurses, clerical staff and cleaning operatives -- are all brilliant.

C4 is a ward which holds a total of 27 patients -- an occupancy of roughly 99 per cent on any one day, 24 hours a day.

I did notice that, especially on the night shift, there were usually roughly three staff looking after the 27 patients -- a ratio of nine per nurse. And the nurses on the day and afternoon shifts struggle as well.

All the staff do a magnificent job and really do deserve every last penny that they earn (if not more).

I do not think that anybody could get any better care, no matter which hospital they were staying in, whether it be NHS or private.

I would just like to finish by saying thanks a million to all the staff, they are a credit to the Royal Bolton Hospital and to the town of Bolton and surrounding areas.

Mr Cliff G Taylor

Darley Terrace

Halliwell

Bolton