March 2, 2001 9:44: A RETIRED nurse, who last week criticised Wycombe Hospital for its standards of care and hygiene, says she had a successful meeting with NHS bosses.

Pamela McNearnie, 69, from Marlow, made the comments, published in last week's Free Press, after saying she saw a number of "distressing things" at Wycombe Hospital when visiting patients.

She said: "I had a very useful and constructive meeting with Mr Griffiths at Wycombe Hospital.

"We discussed at length issues raised in the Free Press articles and we listened to each other's views.

"Obviously all the problems at Wycombe will not disappear overnight but I think improvements are being made and I believe will continue to be made by Mr Griffiths and his team."

Meanwhile, the article has prompted a response from other people who have had friends and relatives admitted to Wycombe Hospital.

Pauline Paton, whose husband Jim died on March 25, last year after testing positive for MRSA, and was mentioned in the article, said: "Thank God for someone with integrity both the Free Press and the retired nurse."

A Marlow resident who went to visit a relative in the hospital was disgusted to find a massive amount of dust under the bed in the emergency ward.

The concerned relative said: "If David Griffiths is responsible for hire of the services, could not payment be withheld until he was satisfied the job was properly done?"

A spokesman for South Bucks NHS Trust said: "We will be happy to investigate specific concerns if people raise them with us."