Hospital volunteers

SIR – In Germany, there is a scheme in most hospitals for volunteers, Grüne

Damen (and Herren), to spend a morning a week helping nursing staff by feeding patients who need help, seeing to their needs, going to buy them a newspaper, or just spending time chatting to them on the ward.

As a serving Army officer on a 12-month interpreter’s course, I did just that every day for four months to help with my German. It allowed nurses to concentrate on nursing.

A similar scheme in our own NHS hospitals would give much needed relief to nurses, and could ensure that patients are fed and hydrated. Jeremy M D Moger

Sturminster Newton, Dorset