I WAS pleased to read in the Evening Press ('Two more beds for hospital care unit', July 17) about the High Dependency Unit (HDU) now having two extra beds.

I only hope that the Health Authority realise how important these beds are, more importantly that they are fully staffed and operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 52 weeks a year.

Five years ago my father was in the Intensive Care Unit for three weeks and I could not fault the dedication and support of the staff.

Unfortunately, after three weeks of intensive care, he died after one week on a ward. This time the HDU was closed, we were told due to lack of experienced staff. It was very obvious he needed the extra care and support that was clearly not available on the ward.

J Pinkney,

Stockton Lane,

York.

Updated: 09:16 Saturday, July 28, 2001