Sir, – I note that a spokesman for Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, when asked about the effect that the closure of two out of 10 of their operating theatres at any one time would have, responded, "This is a short-term problem and will lead to minimal disruption" ("Vital operations cancelled at Beaumont", Front Page, January 20th).
A consultant is quoted as saying that 14 patient lists, affecting 30 to 40 patients, are being cancelled over each eight-week period, including people with brain tumours and serious spinal problems.
I am certain that the patients affected, who need essential surgery, don’t find anything “minimal” about the disruption, let alone the distress, that these rolling cancellations cause both them and their families. – Yours, etc,
FINNIAN E MATHEWS,
Skerries, Co Dublin.