JANET Harvey, of house spider bite fame, graphically illustrates one of the main causes for long waiting times in A&E departments.

And that is inappropriate visits to A&E with conditions that are neither serious accidents or serious medical conditions. These bites caused three red sore spots! It's a wonder she didn't call an ambulance.

These bites happened on Thursday and she went to A&E on Tuesday, five days after this incident. Could she not see that after five days it was not life-threatening and perfectly treatable by her GP, if needed?

A&E is turning into a drop-in centre for people too lazy, inpatient or stupid to contact their GP. And as for contacting the local paper with the news that she has three red spots caused by a spider? Hold the front page - I scratched my finger in the garden.

G LEWIS, Malvern.