WITH all the problems of York Hospital not having enough beds for ill people, why is the NHS selling the Bootham Park hospital building?

Why can it not be renovated and made suitable to accommodate all the people who are fit for discharge from the general hospital but unable to be allowed home for one reason or another?

It could create a more homely atmosphere, those who are able could do minor tasks, as they would probably do in their own home, and they could socialise better than being in a hospital ward. The people wouldn’t have to be in a ward with sick people, wouldn’t need to be staying in bed. There could be a nice communal area and, probably, fewer staff would be required.

Beds in the hospital wards could then be freed up for people who are really ill and need to be there.

Yes, it would be quite costly to carry out renovations but surely, the end would justify the means, and take a major burden off the main hospital and stop the bed blocking we hear so much of these days.

Janet S Kitchen-Cooper, Ashley Park Road, York

Where will copter land after sell-off?

DM Deamer asks ‘where do helicopters land for York District Hospital?’ (Letters, January 8). I understand they land in the Bootham Park grounds. When the hospital and grounds are sold the air ambulance will be up the creek without a paddle!

Will Bootham become even more luxury apartments? Or another hotel?

Pamela Z Frankland, Hull Road, Dunnington, York

Commission should examine NHS future

THE obvious reason the NHS is under severe pressure is that there are too many people demanding treatment at the same time.

If a stadium has a 100,000 capacity and on a certain date 120,000 want a seat, a problem arises - as is the case with the NHS. Throwing instant money at the stadium would not solve the problem of the 20,000 who wanted a seat. Similarly with the NHS.

Instead of the NHS being a constant political football, the Government should appoint a Royal Commission to investigate in depth the way forward for a 20th century health service - a commission devoid of interference from point-scoring politicians.

Peer Rickaby, West Park, Selby