Over 10 years ago I had my right breast and lymph glands removed. If I had gone private, I could not have received better nursing than at the Lister. I have returned each year for a check-up and though no further appointment was made, I feel that I must s

Over 10 years ago I had my right breast and lymph glands removed.

If I had gone private, I could not have received better nursing than at the Lister. I have returned each year for a check-up and though no further appointment was made, I feel that I must stand aside now and make way for someone younger for I shall be 84 years old next birthday.

I lost my only son aged 27 to Hodgkin's Disease and my only daughter aged 38 to a brain tumour, sadly neither were treated at the Lister.

So need I say, that long live Lister is my motto today and always.

MARJORIE LAKE, Limekiln Lane, Baldock

* My wife Jean and I both feel that the Lister should be the hospital at which specialist and trauma services should be consolidated. The Lister is a much more accessible site than the QEII because of its close proximity to the A1(M). The site also has the potential to expand whereas the QEII is landlocked.

PETER LING, Whitethorn Lane, Letchworth Garden City

* My family and I are horrified at the possible reconfiguration of services at the Lister Hospital.

In view of the proposed massive house building projects for this area it is ludicrous that the Government should consider such actions. In order to support an influx of homes and people into the area we must have the necessary infrastructure in place and to reduce the facilities at our hospital would cause chaos.

The Lister has not been open that long in the span of time, around 1972 I believe and there is ample space for redevelopment of existing buildings and new ones and the access from the surrounding area is excellent.

JANE SIMMONS and family, Hitchin

* My family and I have had occasion to use the Lister Hospital in recent months. I would just like to thank the staff for their kindness and caring attitude. We really need them to carry on their good work.

Many thanks to you all.

MAVIS HODGE

* I have just read The Comet (January 25) regarding Lister Hospital.

I have just lost my husband and he was in the Lister Hospital. I can say that the staff on 10B South, the MacMillan team, Dr Carter and even down to the housekeepers on that ward were absolutely fantastic to myself and my daughter. The dedication and care shown to my husband in his last days I will never forget and will always hold that close to my heart.

We need the Lister Hospital here in Stevenage.

Mrs V MORRICE, The Hedgerows, Stevenage

* I work as a junior ward sister at the Lister, so obviously I am going to support the Lister to be the hospital to survive.

I want to keep my job where it is, I am proud of where I work and the job I do. It would be personally virtually impossible for me to relocate to the QEII, if indeed I should be so lucky as to get a job there should Lister lose the war.

As a member of the local community it would be disastrous to say the least for Lister to be downgraded in favour of the QEII. Stevenage and Hitchin and the surrounding villages are all expanding at an alarming rate. Why should all these people, including me and my family, have to be subjected to a lengthy and costly journey to the QEII?

Wake up Tony Blair, wake up east of England strategic health authority, North Herts does not want to lose the Lister, and I am certain the residents surrounding QEII do not want to lose their hospital either! Do not make us choose.

DIANE HAMILTON, Coleridge Close, Hitchin