I HAVE never understood how inanimate objects can be "royal" such as trains, yachts, toilets or bricks and mortar in the shape of a hospital.

Just what is the process by which they become imbued with whatever "royal" qualities are? If the practice is connected with a city having been given a royal charter why not affix the description to many other public bodies?

Why restrict it to the Health service? Why not the Royal Police Station, the Royal Social Services Department or indeed the Royal City council?

The option not so far suggested for naming the awaited new hospital is the Worcestershire District General Hospital which is what it is and whose equivalent exist in neighbouring countries.

We are led to understand that New Labour wishes to modernise the NHS along with much else.

The subject yawn-inducingly seems a foolish distraction from what is of primary importance, the quality and reliability of medical care coming out of the new building when operational.

WENDY HANDS, Upton-upon-Severn.