CREDITON hospital was originally built for the use of local people who, are now, often waiting for a bed in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital and often for a bed in Crediton. When I was in the RD and E about a year ago a consultant said to me: "There is not much hope of getting a bed there (Crediton)". The concept of "hospital at home", in a mainly rural area, would seem to be well nigh impossible. Are GP's prepared to work a lot of extra hours? As Dr Maycock says: "Where will all the nurses and extra money come from?" I gather Unison does not think this plan viable. I always thought that hospital care meant for 24 hours a day. My husband, sadly, has dementia and is waiting in Crediton hospital for a secure placement. The care there is exemplorary. All the patients and visitors value the service highly. It was a retrograde step when, in spite of Crediton Hospital campaign group, the Boniface unit for people with dementia and other mental health problems was closed. Such care in the community is now thinly stretched. It is not surprising that the Mental Health Services in Devon have been criticised. According to the "Daily Telegraph" this country now has fewer hospital beds than most of Europe. Visiting patients in Exeter, Okehampton or Tiverton would be very difficult for many elderly people. I have been so grateful to all the staff at Crediton Hospital. Why were the stroke units moved here in the first place, only to be moved again in the near future? Cecily Easden Alexandra Way Crediton