The NHS crisis . . .

The Royal Cornwall hospital at Treliske, in Truro, is under siege, its A& e department in meltdown, classified as level four — black alert.

Last week, Theresa May announced substantial funds to support a revolution in mental health care. There has been a 50 per cent increase in the number with mental health issues visiting A&e departments in hospitals all over the country.

My sympathies are with the doctors, nurses and ancillary staff working in these units. It must be a nightmare. But I must question the competence of the higher echelons of the NhS for their total lack of vision.

This year, the NhS has withdrawn funding from all the community mental health services in our area.

I have personal experience with Penta health and Wellbeing (formerly West Cornwall Mind), based in Redruth and am most impressed with the invaluable service they give.

I’m appalled to learn that the NhS has decided, as from March 31, to disinvest in Penta, leaving it no choice but to close.

This will definitely swell the queues at A&e Treliske after March.

Staff at Penta have years of experience supporting and mentoring vulnerable adults with mental health issues. how sad to see all this talent wasted, searching for alternative employment at local supermarkets.

ANTONY R. PADDON, Illogan, Cornwall. My LoCAL GP practice in hertfordshire was open for just one day over the Christmas/New year period and closed for ten.

With six doctor partners, you would have thought they could have managed to offer more service. I wonder how many people in my town had to attend A&e as a result?

During the junior doctors’ strike, the practice displayed a notice on the reception desk proclaiming the partners’ support for the strike. Are our highly paid GPs not meant to support their local community?

M. ROBINs, address supplied.