GERARD WILDE writes about delays when a patient arrives at a hospital as something rare when he was employed in the NHS (HAS, May 31).

It certainly seems to e a growing problem for an ambulance not to be able to discharge a patient for treatment without delay.

Mr Wilde may not be aware of a similar problem at the end of a stay in hospital where there are delay is in discharge.

This is called bed blocking and can be a vexed issue between the hospital administration and the local authority The smooth flow that everyone desires has become more problematical and, in places, it has become a crisis.

It arises because of the cuts that have been made in bed provision and medical and nursing staff.

It is interesting that in South Tees hospital, in Middlesbrough, more beds are to be provided and medical and nursing staff are being recruited to deal with the shortfall that is now evident It is a move that should have been anticipated on account of the increase in the elderly population and of admissions of patients with dementia who live alone.

In my area, I am concerned that the provision at the hospital to be built in Wynyard will adequately cope with the need.

If the resources allocated in the NHS are insufficient on account of the bid for greater efficiency it looks to me that hey are making false economies.

G Bulmer, Billingham