Times Online http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,59-440516,00.html

Letters to the Editor

October 09, 2002

Future of Block 9

From Mr Garry Pownall

Sir, A fine new museum and cultural centre, built by generous foreigners who think, rightly, that there has never been a more important time to honour and understand Islam; or more NHS buildings — shabby, chaotic, ordinary, if St Thomas’ Hospital’s present use of this precious riverside site in the heart of the capital is anything to go by.

That is the choice King’s College London faces when it decides on the future of the Block 9 site (report and letter, October 7). Why a former Labour Sports Minister, the Health Secretary in John Major’s administration and others write to you that Block 9 “should be preserved in the public domain” is obscure; that the widest public would be best served by gratefully accepting the Aga Khan’s offer is clear to me.

Yours truly,
GARRY POWNALL,
14 Belmont Road, SW4 0BY.
October 7.


From Dr R. J. Birts

Sir, It really is a bit rich of Mrs Virginia Bottomley to co-sign a letter urging the Council of King’s College to protect the site of the former St Thomas’ Hospital Medical School, because of it being “a precious local and national asset” which “should be preserved in the public domain” and because its “historic value and sensitive position inspire great loyalty”.

How well these words describe Guy’s Hospital, one of the world’s great teaching institutions, over whose substantial downgrading Mrs Bottomley presided when she was Secretary of State for Health.

Yours faithfully,
ROBIN BIRTS,
The Dower House,
Todeham, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire GL56 9PE.
October 7.


From Mrs Jenny Edmonds

Sir, I totally endorse the Save Block 9 Campaign but am amazed at the audacity of Virginia Bottomley signing her name in support after her treatment, whilst in government, of St Bartholomew’s Hospital.

There was no talk then of “seriously (limiting) the ability of the NHS and higher education to deliver essential health services and training”.

Yours faithfully,
JENNY EDMONDS
(Bart’s baby, Bart’s nurse, Bart’s patient and member of the Save Bart’s Campaign),
The Old Bakehouse,
27 King Street, Arundel BN18 9BJ.
October 7.