Greenery in hospitals

sir – Margaret Bowman (Letters, August 29) writes of the proven health benefits to hospital patients of cut flowers and pot plants.

This year I have visited four different hospitals. None allow visitors to bring flowers on to the wards and they give spurious reasons as to why, including risk of infection. I suspect the real explanation is that members of staff do not have the time or inclination to look after them. Dr Martin Henry

Good Easter, Essex

sir – Margaret Bowman makes a good point about views from hospital beds.

Unfortunately, our local hospital in Sutton Coldfield (interestingly named Good Hope) overlooks the council graveyard.

To add to the splendour of the vista, Birmingham city council keeps the hedges and trees well trimmed so as not to obstruct one’s potential discharge destination.

Birmingham