The Royal Free Hospital

• VISITING the Royal Free Hospital, I came upon a distressed elderly lady on crutches who was waiting, with nowhere to sit, at the point where the taxis stop.

To assist I went to get a wheelchair for her. None!

The lady told me that she had been waiting some time for her taxi, she was alone, and there was no one she could ask for help.

I have bought this problem up with the chief executive of the RFH, suggesting they train a couple of volunteers to assist and help such folk; but the suggestion has not been taken up.

The hospital may have provided more wheelchairs but where are they?

Another suggestion is that the hospital has put about 20 permanent seats by the canopy in front of the hospital building where the taxis stop to benefit its patients. They need to be high seats for the elderly so they can get themselves up. Benches do not work for them.

What about some help-phones there, too, as many patients can’t manage the walk to the help desk inside?

That should do it!

LINDA GROVE, NW3