ON a recent visit to our local hospital outpatient department there was a woman with a terrible cough. This is an area with very little ventilation other than relying on doors opening and shutting. It has happened before when I have been in outpatients.

I think that the staff should let these people get attended to first, rather than have germs spread about. Airborne germs can infect anybody, especially if they are ill.

Public transport and air travel are also breeding places for germs with recirculated air giving everyone a good dose.

John A Barr, Darlington.