SIR - I found the Lister Hospital Accident and Emergency department appalling on a Friday/Saturday night. I was there with a two-year-old who had woken with sudden breathing difficulty, so I took him to A&E at 11pm and found that drunks from pubs and club

SIR - I found the Lister Hospital Accident and Emergency department appalling on a Friday/Saturday night.

I was there with a two-year-old who had woken with sudden breathing difficulty, so I took him to A&E at 11pm and found that drunks from pubs and clubs with broken hands through punching walls or each other were being seen before us.

There was also a young girl who had been out and had her drink spiked who was left in the waiting area and had not been seen before I left. We eventually were seen at 1.10am and my son only had croup, so it was nothing major but twice I had told the nurse his breathing was getting worse and had no acknowledgement from doctors.

I appreciate they are busy any day of the week but I find it ridiculous drunks and junkies get seen before others who are more vulnerable for less serious issues just to get them 'out of the way'.

On another recent visit to A&E I had the same problem. I was bleeding quite heavily from a genuine accident and got seen after the pub rush on a week night. I was given a bowl to bleed into!! Should I get drunk and cause a scene next time I go to A&E just to get seen quicker??

JACKIE NELSON

Briardale

Stevenage