I wish to add my voice to concerns raised about the proposals to close the playroom at York District Hospital.

As one of the founder members of the playroom I vividly recall the first weekend voluntary sessions we used to run in the old County Hospital to give the children of visitors a chance to play happily and safely while the parents visited the hospital.

We worked tirelessly to raise the funds to build and equip the playroom and were delighted that it transferred to the new hospital when it was completed.

Since then it has fulfilled a changing, but very valuable role, to give children a chance to play in a creative and safe environment while parent attend outpatients clinics, or visit friends and relatives in hospital unworried by having to look after bored and irritated children while doing so.

When we celebrated the playroom's 25th birthday a few years ago it certainly seemed to be continuing to carry out a well-used and much needed role.

I am not persuaded that setting up play-corners, where children can play while their carers visit the hospital, can give the same service as the playroom.

Outpatients' waiting areas are busy and distracting, consulting the doctor is stressful without having to worry whether your two-year-old is all right and not knocking things over.

I am deeply concerned that the playroom could be lost as a short term money-saving exercise, while not properly addressing the need that parents and children have to make hospital visits for families as pleasant and easy as possible.

I am pleased to see that the Community Health Council is looking into this area.

I shall be raising the issue as widely as possible and I hope before the hospital takes action on closure they fully consult all the relevant partners in this enterprise.

Janet M Looker,

Clifton Dale,

York.

...I was disappointed to see the headlines in the Evening Press (May 11) York Hospital To Axe Creche, with regard to the decision by York NHS Trust to axe the children's playroom creche.

My first contact with the playroom at York District Hospital was as a sixth form college student prior to starting my registered general nurse training at York in 1988.

The playroom was then, as it is today, a much-appreciated and needed service.

The constant dedication and enthusiasm of its paid staff, college students and voluntary workers has ensured the highest standards of child care, maintaining each child's right to play freely and openly in a safe environment, while families attend outpatient appointments.

Such a service inspired me at a young age to go on and further my career by training as a Registered Sick Children's Nurse at the hospital for sick children, Great Ormond Street, London.

As a senior nurse now in children's palliative care services, I urge the local community and the York NHS Trust to further examine the need for such a service, its benefits and how funds may be raised to save it. Perhaps a local appeal? Revision of budgets? Whatever - please save the playroom.

Stephen J Forby,

Senior Nurse,

Rishworth Grove,

Clifton Moor,

York.

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