Once again the Argus (Saturday, August 16) reported ward closures at the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

This follows reports of other hospitals having similar problems.

Infections like this will invariably spread in a high density enclosed environment such as a hospital.

Incidents on cruise liners indicate how quickly an infection can spread within a confined area. This applies to schools and workplaces in addition to hospitals.

I work within the NHS and observe much of what occurs. It is popular practice to blame NHS employees for all hospital acquired infections and problems.

By definition a hospital is a place to treat the sick. Therefore infections will be brought in by patients.

The National Health Service does not only treat clean people. It has an obligation to treat every case.

This includes drug addicts, alcoholics and rough sleepers. These people are at high risk of infection.

The public themselves must also take responsibility. It is sad that many people do not observe basic hygiene procedures.

Many patients and visitors do not wash their hands after using a lavatory. This is a sure way to spread disease. Visitors allow children to play games such as hide and seek running from bed to bed.

Again this can cause cross infection. I dare say there are some sloppy employees within hospitals.

But NHS staff are not responsible for the actions of the public. NHS staff have to deal with domestic problems and violent people.

Staff can be verbally abused and threatened. The health service is often the last link in a chain. People who work in this environment are on the front line. Richard J. Szypulski Wiltshire House, Lavender Street, Brighton