I RECENTLY attended Tavistock Hospital as a day patient to receive a blood transfusion. The alternative was to travel from Tavistock to Derriford Hospital from where I had recently been an in-patient. From experience I doubt whether I would have received the three units in one day at Derriford, requiring an overnight stay in addition to the travelling time. Although staff couldn't guarantee discharge the same day at Tavistock, it was achieved by being well organised from my welcome at 9am to being back home by 8pm. I cannot criticize the nursing staff at Derriford but my brief stay at Tavistock was made more enjoyable by the pleasant, friendly and efficient staff. We need to keep our local hospitals. Brian Donnelly Oak Road Tavistock