To the Editor:

My children were born at Kent Hospital. My wife and I have been there for outpatient services many times and I have had two brief hospitalizations there. Throughout these 30 years we have always received treatment from highly professional, efficient, warm and friendly staff. Therefore, I am at a loss as to why sometimes others make disparaging remarks like, "Stay away from Kent Hospital" or "I would never go there for anything."

During my recent four-night stay there, I had to marvel at the consistency on the part of all staff I encountered from any department. Despite the fact that Care New England is paring down benefits and making work situations more difficult, the staff continues to express genuine warmth and empathy towards the patients. Most impressive is that, despite their benefits and overall quality of life being threatened, what seems to deeply matter to them is maintaining the high level of care for the patients.

Read their signs as you pass by the picketers; give them a honk, thumbs up! They are outside not only for themselves but for patients comprised of your parents or grandparents, spouses, siblings and your friends. Support the Kent Hospital staff in their efforts to maintain their quality of life while maintaining their amazing level of care for the patients. Bombard Care New England with letters of protest regarding their plans to usurp such a smooth running operation as well as personal testimonies extolling the services you have received there.

In conclusion, remember that the staff at Kent Hospital is comprised of people just like you and me, as we are people just like them. How would you feel if we were in their situation? What would you want?

Ralph C. Davis

Warwick