I WAS delighted to read about the "handwash initiative" at York Hospital (Evening Press, July 15).

It is long overdue - not for the nurses who are excellent about hygiene - but facilities are sorely needed for the patients.

I was in a high dependency unit for some time last year and found the hygiene in the ward toilets left much to be desired.

Even a spray disinfectant would have helped. Fortunately, I "escaped" after only three days in the discharge ward with diarrhoea.

What would have happened if I had to stay longer? I dread to think.

Pauline D Rees,

Wordsworth Crescent,

Woodthorpe,

York.

Updated: 10:56 Monday, July 21, 2003