ALTHOUGH late in the day I think that I should enter the discussion about York Hospital Radio.

This started from my remark about my treatment on Ward 32.

As a York writer I contribute work to hospital radio and I wanted to take advantage of the free service during my stay.

A notice on the equipment said it was necessary to register in order to listen to the radio and I attempted to do so. I am no slouch on technical matters, but it was such an irritating process to work my way through the multiple choices needed to use a free service that I just gave up. I didn't take 20 minutes - I surrendered after two menus. After all I was ill!

I mentioned this in conversation with Phil Shepherdson (Letters, November 28) and also to some volunteers who man the station. I was told that York Hospital Radio members try to register patients who have difficulty, but that it can take between ten and 15 minutes for each patient.

I have perused the correspondence and at no time did Phil (or myself) dispute the dedication of the volunteers who work this excellent service.

Why did Ian Clennan rush to their defence? Did he talk to his members (Letters, December 6)?

Certainly the volunteers I spoke to did not take umbrage.

With regard to the response generated from PatientlineUK Ltd, I agree that the radio service is free, but York Hospital does seem to have a registration problem, either from technical complication or staffing that needs investigating.

After all, if it is easier to register, then patients are more likely to use the full facilities.

Doug Allwright,

Moorfields,

Raskelf, York.

Updated: 09:09 Tuesday, December 13, 2005