About 20 years ago I started to have severe bouts of ulcerative colitis. Eventually I was hospitalized.

My treatment while in hospital left much to be desired. The nursing staff were very kind, but largely untrained; the food, I now realize, was totally unsuitable. One consultant directed most of his remarks over my head to his accompanying students and nursing staff: "progressive disease", "may have remissions", "connection with bowel cancer" were some of the phrases I heard.I was then told that unless I had a colostomy immediately I would end up being readmitted into hospital as an emergency and die.

I was given two weeks to think it over, and during this time an acquaintance who was very intererested in alternative therapies recommended I see a homoeopathic doctor. I went as a private outpatient to the Royal Homoeopathic Hospital in London. I cannot speak too highly of my treatment there. I was immediately assured that I certainly could be helped and that there was probably no need for surgery. My case notes were transferred to this hospital, and I feel that this move possibly saved my life.

The reassurance and kindness I received from all members of the staff at the hospital made me confident that I could get better without surgical intervention. Indeed I did. I had several relapses, but these gradually reduced in severity, and finally ceased altogether.

As a footnote, I'll add that my husband was recently prescribed Stemetil by our local GP for nausea and vertigo. The doctor said he'd double the dose if this didn't work after 36 hours. My husband wasn't examined at all. Prompted by your Guide to the Side Effects of Drugs, we looked the drug up The side effects of Stemetil can be horrific for older people, particularly those over 60 (which my husband is). We threw the prescription away and he recovered naturally. P E, Sutton.........