I WAS disgusted to hear that £20m is to be spent on a new A&E department at the University of North Durham Hospital because its present one is overworked (Echo, Mar 27).

We had an A&E at Bishop Auckland which was closed down. One of the reasons Durham and Darlington A&E departments are overworked is because patients who should be treated at Bishop Auckland are being sent to them.

I have had reason to go to both and I find it so annoying when we have a brand new hospital on our doorstep.

Surely the simple answers is to reopen Bishop Auckland A&E instead of spending all that money on a new one.

Kathleen Hadden, Bishop Auckland.