I appreciate Dr Robin Bell’s comments about the “virtual ward” (May 12), which was his name for the district nursing team.

I was a district nurse in the Seventies, in a country area of Kent. More recently, my husband and I have had good cause to bless this service and the professional nurses who provide it.

In October 2008 he developed septicaemia from a replaced knee joint. After four weeks in hospital he was home on intravenous antibiotics which had to be given daily into a line in his chest.

This is not as simple as it sounds. It requires scrupulous hygiene and attention to detail. Observation is also necessary because these powerful antibiotics can cause a reaction.

Dr Bell mentions the worry and stress of having to go in to hospital, which can be avoided by treating the patient at home. There is also the risk of repeat infections in hospital. At home you only have your own bugs to worry about, not those brought in by other people. This was an important consideration for us.

We can’t thank our district nursing team enough.

I have already written to the relevant people expressing our thanks and gratitude.

Margaret Stoll
Rochefort Drive
Rochford