The Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead

• NURSES’ pay and wellbeing does not depend on salary alone. If they were to be given an excellent in-house greengrocer and general stores, operating on a costs plus basis, this could have the effect of a modest pay increase.

Recently I was at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, looking around at the subterranean level of “Accident & Emergency”, and noticed numerous odd areas and locations, doing apparently very little, which could house such a potentially valuable facility. Of course, there might be better places elsewhere.

What is needed? First and foremost someone who is an experienced greengrocer and who knows how to run a general needs store as well, clearance to use the selected area, legal help possibly to set up a co-operative, volunteers to help out with some of the work, and a modest budget to get the project off the ground. It is all very feasible.

PETER RUTHERFORD
Pandora Road, NW6