A ROYAL Bolton Hospital spokeswoman made a statement which isn't true. She said therAe is no shortage of blankets.

I visited D2 ward at 1pm on February 4, to see an elderly friend, who is very poorly. She was sitting in a chair with her dressing gown (which was stained), round her legs.

I asked a nurse could I please have a blanket, allowing me to take the dressing gown home to wash it. The nurse replied that there wasn't a blanket to be had, and there weren't any in the linen cupboard.

She gave me a cotton sheet, which wouldn't keep her legs warm. A blanket would be given to the patient when the laundry was delivered. When? It is very sad when basic needs cannot be supplied for the patient's comfort.

Mrs G Clough

SRN SCM GM

HV (retired),

Hunger Hill,

Bolton