LIKE Jean Shirley Agness (Letters, February 12), I have spent time in Penisula NHS Treatment Centre, in my case, a new knee and an operation on my hand. I also think my treatment was excellent. The hospital is not, however, an NHS hospital in the traditional sense. It's privately run but is allowed to use 'NHS' in the title because it works only for the NHS. I understand that the building was originally designed as a new sorting office for Royal Mail but the move from the centre of Plymouth was abandoned and the building was acquired by Care UK. As a result, the layout of the wards is a little haphazard and some of the rooms aren't large enough for more than one bed. There is a strong contrast with Derriford. Each bed has its own TV, bedside telephone with free calls, and parking was free. If it closes, then it will be because it isn't making enough money. In the private sector, that is common sense. The latest announcement is that it is to stay open, although it will receive no more guaranteed NHS patient referrals for orthopaedic care. This might be only a stay of execution. Dr K Vines Horrabridge HAVING read the letter from Jean Agnes (Times, February 12) concerning the Peninsula Hospital, I am prompted to write in support of the comments she made. As a recent patient for a hip replacement I cannot speak too highly of the capability and professionalism of the staff. Readers should also be aware that this is a hospital privately run and staffed, for NHS patients. Specialising in orthopaedics, many of the staff recruited from overseas, it is an example of how the NHS can be improved. It is also an example of excellence that should alleviate the worries of those with concerns about privatisation of parts of the NHS. Rumour has it that there have been proposals for closing this unit. Such action would be a travesty, especially in view of the significant reduction in waiting times achieved by this hospital. Tony Ingram Mary Tavy