George, my bachelor uncle of 80 years, had the chance of regaining his mobility at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Oxford.

He was passed fit for operation tests, was eventually admitted and had two operations replacing both knees.

Amazing results ensued, due to clever surgeons and their team.

George's legs were now straight and working, he appeared to be recovering well, and was upbeat about convalescence and an eventual return home to Ronny, his dog.

George stayed for two months at the Nuffield — he was bed-blocking, probably due to the relevant authority's failure to eradicate potential killer bacteria at Oxford Community Hospital.

My information is that three attempts of deep-cleaning failed and the unit eventually closed.

Patients like George now awaited a slot at another community hospital.

He was transferred to Witney and stayed about two months. Suddenly he was transferred to the John Radcliffe.

After a short, valiant fight, he sadly died of septicaemia (an infection of blood), with E-coli resulting in kidney failure. There was no sign of infection before he was admitted to hospital.

George was within a whisker of being discharged from Witney, with a good care package at home, but it was not to be.

He would want no witch-hunt, but it is a mystery where the infection originated. Should the cause have been investigated?

During visits at the Nuffield, we spoke to and observed many staff, the majority being dedicated professionals ready to go that extra mile.

Unfortunately, they were let down by a few who didn't really want to be there.

George knew who he preferred to look after him and appreciated the care he was given.

I noticed issues of cleanliness, especially in public areas, at weekends. On one visit, a senior nurse was cleaning and disinfecting the sink waste outlet in George's room — she told me cleaners did not do it properly.

On another occasion, workers laying slabs created massive amounts of dust, which blew into the main hospital entrance, covering the hall and café with a filthy mess.

It was disconcerting to learn it would be difficult to evacuate some patients rapidly in an emergency — some doorways had not been built wide enough to accommodate patients' beds with equipment attached.

Some senior managers do not appear to have their fingers on the pulse. In certain areas, the words 'should and could do better' are suitable applications.

ALAN KERRY Cowley Road Littlemore Oxford