SIR: On page 2 of your October 1 edition under the heading 'Hospital future' it was reported that, in response to Steve Brine's comment concerning the need for honesty on the impact of the new hospital on the acute service at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester, Cllr Jackie Porter stated "the local NHS has made a real effort to consult local people". I, for one, have had zero consultation from the local NHS and I have yet to meet someone who has.

Perhaps the local NHS could let us know the detail of their consultation with local people including its breadth and the results.

David Markham,

Staple Gardens,

Winchester