FOR more than seven decades I have regularly visited the X-ray department of our War Memorial Hospital.

The earliest visit was when I was nine years old followed by numerous football-induced visits. At 50 I stopped playing football and my visits ceased.

However, this past year I have had occasion to revisit three times due to “mishaps”.

Yep, more broken bones.

The difference between these latter visits and my earlier visits was stark. The great number of people crammed into the small waiting room and overflowing into the corridors seems to be a regular occurrence now.

Whilst waiting, the plaque on the wall continued to stare out informing everyone that the department was opened in 1926 at a cost of £317.

Recent years have seen superb enhancements to our dear old hospital and now, with the enlarged populace, it is surely time that a new larger X-ray department is introduced, together with a second machine. It is a vital part of our hospital heritage.

If only the premises were as good as the friendly, hard working but deluged staff it would be marvellous.

John Porter, Millway Road, Andover.