Being a constant visitor to Southlands Hospital for quite a few weeks, I find it very hard to believe the people we look to and even depend on when we are ill have no staff room in which they can relax for their break from the wards.

They were using the day room (very rarely used by patients) but this has been stopped.

The only other option they have is the canteen, where they are often confronted by relatives with questions about their loved ones' health.

Surely we should be doing our utmost to help the staff who care for others unconditionally, not making things more stressful?

One has to ask what are the NHS Trust's priorities for its staff? - namely a smokers' room, which they have, or a rest room, which they do not.

-Name and address supplied